Hydrogel-Metal Assembly via Interpenetrating Polymer Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic and medical implants face challenges such as thrombogenicity, immunogenicity, and tribological issues due to the use of plastics, which are rigid, prone to wear, and have low biocompatibility, necessitating the development of new materials for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel-metal assembly is created by bonding a water-swollen hydrogel layer with an interpenetrating polymer network to a biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer, enhancing biocompatibility and tribological properties through chemical and physical cross-linking, and surface modification with inorganic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastics are used in orthopedic prostheses, then the devices can be manufactured with complex shapes and are easier to manufacture, but the materials exhibit rigidity, wear, and low biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining hydrogel with metal substrates to create a hybrid structure that integrates the manufacturing advantages of metals with the biocompatibility and tribological benefits of hydrogel, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and biocompatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using hydrogel coatings with specific water content (60-90%) and mechanical properties (elastic modulus 0.1-10 MPa) to achieve optimal biocompatibility and wear resistance while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability
2Ease of manufacture
If plastics are used in orthopedic prostheses, then the devices can be manufactured with complex shapes, but the materials are prone to wear and have low biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining hydrogel and metal to achieve superior wear resistance through the hydrogel's lubricating properties while maintaining the structural strength and manufacturability of metal substrates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by coating only the surface contact areas with hydrogel to provide wear resistance and lubrication where needed, while the metal substrate maintains structural integrity and manufacturability in non-contact regions
3Strength
If conventional implant materials are used, then the devices are structurally sound, but they initiate thrombogenicity and immunogenicity due to protein adsorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials with hydrogel coatings on metal substrates to maintain structural soundness while the hydrogel surface prevents thrombogenicity and immunogenicity through its water-rich, protein-repellent properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the surface interface with hydrogel coating to prevent harmful biological reactions, while the bulk metal substrate maintains its structural soundness and mechanical properties
4Strength
If conventional implant materials are used, then the devices are structurally sound, but they have poor tribological properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining hydrogel and metal to achieve excellent tribological properties through the hydrogel's low friction coefficient and self-lubricating characteristics, while the metal substrate provides structural soundness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by coating the friction-bearing surfaces with hydrogel to reduce friction and improve tribological performance, while the metal substrate maintains structural integrity in non-contact regions
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 hydrogel-metal assembly offers reduced friction, impact absorption, and increased strength, making it suitable for orthopedic and medical applications with improved biocompatibility and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a water-swollen hydrogel layer (bearing layer)
Implementation Method 2
The intervening polymer network has been chemically grafted to the inorganic material of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer through bi-functional linker molecules
Implementation Method 3
at least one of these polymers is chemically cross-linked
Implementation Method 4
The intervening polymer network is further physically or chemically cross-linked with the polymers of the water-swollen hydrogel
Implementation Method 5
The surface of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer is surface-modified with an inorganic material
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogel-metal assembly is provided. An intervening polymer network is used to bond together a water-swollen hydrogel layer and a biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer. The hydrogel layer is a water-swollen hydrogel layer of at least two interpenetrating polymers. The surface of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer is surface-modified with an inorganic material. The intervening polymer network has been chemically grafted to the inorganic material of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer through bi-functional linker molecules. The intervening polymer network is further physically or chemically cross-linked with the polymers of the water-swollen hydrogel. The hydrogel-metal assembly can be adapted to form a medical device, medical implant, an artificial implant, an orthopedic implant, or at least as part of a joint. The hydrogel-metal assembly is attractive for use as such implants or devices due to its characteristics such as, for example, low coefficient of friction, impact-absorption capacity or strength, and/or biocompatibility.