Hydrogel Precursor Powder for Reproducible Gelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogel formulations require manual mixing of multiple components, leading to reproducibility and scalability issues due to variations in re-suspension conditions and mixing ratios, making them complex and expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel precursor formulation in the form of an unreacted powder comprising a structural compound and a linker compound, which are polymerizable through a selective Michael-type addition reaction, allowing for easy re-suspension in a buffer to initiate gelation without the need for mixing different components, thereby increasing reproducibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple precursor components are manually mixed prior to gelation, then cross-linking chemistry can be achieved in the presence of cells or biomolecules, but mixing ratios and re-suspension conditions vary leading to reproducibility problems and increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple precursor components (structural compound and linker compound) into a single pre-mixed powder formulation. This merging eliminates the need for separate mixing of multiple components, ensuring consistent composition ratios and improving reproducibility while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The precursor components are pre-mixed and lyophilized into a stable powder formulation before use. This preliminary action of mixing and stabilizing the components in advance ensures that the correct ratios are maintained throughout storage and handling, eliminating variability introduced by manual mixing at the point of use.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple precursor components are manually mixed, then gelation can proceed, but the process becomes more expensive and difficult to upscale
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple precursor components into a single powder formulation, the manufacturing process is simplified from handling and mixing multiple separate solutions to simply re-suspending a single powder. This dramatically improves ease of manufacture and scalability, as the process can be easily upscaled from laboratory to industrial production without complex mixing equipment or procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If powder components are re-suspended and mixed manually, then gelation can occur, but errors in mixing ratios reduce reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The precise mixing ratios of structural compound and linker compound are established in advance during powder formulation manufacturing. The pre-mixed powder ensures that the correct stoichiometric ratios are maintained, eliminating human error in ratio measurement and mixing. Users simply need to re-suspend the pre-formulated powder, which is straightforward and requires minimal operational skill.
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 powder form of the hydrogel precursor formulation reduces the probability of errors in mixing ratios, enhances reproducibility, and simplifies the production process, making it easier to handle and upscale while maintaining the ability to produce hydrogels with defined characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The structural and the linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.