Thermoresponsive Hydrogel-Fiber Composite Embolization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current embolization methods using platinum coils are vessel-specific, costly, cause imaging artifacts, and require skilled delivery, while existing materials lack versatility and effectiveness in controlling undesired bleeding.

Innovation Solution

A crosslinked hydrogel-fiber composite with macropores and interfacial bonding, suitable for catheter delivery, which includes a thermoresponsive component for in situ stiffening and enhanced mechanical properties, allowing for versatile vessel occlusion and improved embolization efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If platinum coils are used for embolization, then vessel occlusion is achieved, but the procedure becomes highly vessel-specific and requires significant skill for delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolization efficacyVSAvoiddelivery skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of a hydrogel matrix combined with thermoresponsive particles. This composite structure enables the embolic agent to exhibit both deformability for easy catheter delivery and stable occlusion after deployment, resolving the contradiction between delivery ease and embolization reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoresponsive particles undergo parameter changes in response to temperature variations. During delivery at lower temperatures, the particles remain soft and deformable, facilitating catheter passage. Upon contact with physiological temperature blood, they transition to a rigid state, ensuring reliable vessel occlusion without requiring high delivery skill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If platinum coils are used for embolization, then vessel occlusion is achieved, but imaging artifacts are generated in CT scans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel occlusionVSAvoidimaging artifact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, permanent platinum coils with biodegradable thermoresponsive particles. These particles achieve the occlusion function temporarily and then degrade, eliminating the long-term imaging artifact problem associated with permanent metallic implants while maintaining reliable vessel occlusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoresponsive particles undergo parameter changes in response to temperature variations. During delivery at lower temperatures, the particles remain soft and deformable, facilitating catheter passage. Upon contact with physiological temperature blood, they transition to a rigid state, ensuring reliable vessel occlusion without requiring high delivery skill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If platinum coils are used for embolization, then vessel occlusion is achieved, but the cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolization efficacyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive platinum coils with biodegradable thermoresponsive particles. These particles achieve the occlusion function temporarily and then degrade, eliminating the long-term imaging artifact problem associated with permanent metallic implants while maintaining reliable vessel occlusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoresponsive particles undergo parameter changes in response to temperature variations. During delivery at lower temperatures, the particles remain soft and deformable, facilitating catheter passage. Upon contact with physiological temperature blood, they transition to a rigid state, ensuring reliable vessel occlusion without requiring high delivery skill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composite provides a versatile and effective embolization solution that can be delivered through a catheter, suitable for a range of vessel sizes and morphologies, with enhanced stiffness and stability at physiological temperatures, improving embolus stability and reducing the need for precise vessel matching.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoresponsive component for in situ stiffening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a crosslinked hydrogel material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a crosslinked hydrogel material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 4

Preferred compositions are macroporous and thus may contain a distribution or pores that have a pore size of at least about 10 microns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS20230080504A1Composite materials and embolization methods

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Embolization compositions and methods for controlling undesired bleeding and other treatments are provided. Preferred composition may comprise (a) a crosslinked hydrogel material; and (b) a fiber material, wherein the composition comprises a plurality of macropores; and the hydrogel material and fiber material are bonded by covalent and/or non-covalent bonds.