Biodegradable Hydrogel Retinal Tamponade via Thiol-Thiol Gelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retinal tamponade agents, such as expansive gas and silicone oil, are ineffective in supporting the entire retina, are toxic, and require additional surgeries for removal, leading to poor post-operative vision and mobility restrictions for patients.
Innovation Solution
Development of biocompatible polymer compositions that form a hydrogel in the eye, comprising a nucleo-functional polymer with thio-functional groups and an electro-functional polymer with thiol-reactive groups, which can be easily administered through small surgical ports without the need for toxic initiators or UV light, providing sustained support to the retina during healing without the need for subsequent surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If expansive gas tamponade agent is used, then tamponade force is provided, but patient mobility is restricted and vision quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the tamponade agent from gaseous to solid hydrogel form. The hydrogel can be injected in liquid form through small gauge needles and then gelates in situ to provide tamponade force, eliminating the need for face-down positioning and allowing better patient mobility while maintaining retinal support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the polymer composition from liquid to gel state. The injectable polymer composition is administered in liquid form and then undergoes gelation in the vitreous cavity to provide sustained tamponade force, avoiding the problems associated with gaseous agents while maintaining ease of administration.
2Force
If silicone oil tamponade agent is used, then tamponade force is provided, but second surgery is required for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable polymer materials that naturally degrade and are cleared by the body over time. This eliminates the need for a second surgical procedure to remove the tamponade agent, as the material is designed to be transient and safely metabolized, providing temporary support during retinal healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable hydrogel tamponade agent performs self-removal through natural biodegradation processes. The polymer composition breaks down into biocompatible byproducts that are naturally cleared by the body, eliminating the need for manual removal surgery and reducing overall surgical burden on the patient.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer composition is administered through small surgical ports, then eye trauma is minimized, but polymer injection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the rheological parameters of the polymer composition to achieve low viscosity in the injected state, allowing easy flow through small gauge needles. The polymer then undergoes gelation after injection to provide the necessary mechanical support, thus minimizing eye trauma while facilitating easy administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes liquid-to-gel phase transition to resolve the contradiction between easy injection and effective tamponade. The polymer composition is injected in liquid form through small surgical ports with minimal trauma, then gelates in situ to provide sufficient mechanical support for retinal detachment repair.
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 provides effective pressure support to the retina, is non-toxic, and undergoes biodegradation at an appropriate rate, allowing for natural clearance, thus avoiding the need for additional surgeries and improving post-operative vision and patient mobility.
Implementation Method 1
The polymers are mixed together in the eye where they begin to react to form a hydrogel
Implementation Method 2
undergoes biodegradation at an appropriate rate so that the retinal tissue is supported for an appropriate amount of time to facilitate healing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides methods and polymer compositions for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (i) a nucleo-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1-SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups.