Multi-layer Hydrogel Surgical Patch for Tissue Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In visceral surgery, existing methods for sealing and healing tissue wounds are inefficient, as they often compromise healing and are not easily applied, with alternatives like suturing, stapling, biological glues, and physical bonding techniques having drawbacks.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layered surgical patch comprising a porous matrix layer loaded with a first hydrogel precursor and a non-porous layer with a second hydrogel precursor, which reacts upon exposure to physiological fluids to form a biocompatible cross-linked material for sealing and anti-adhesive properties, promoting healing while minimizing post-surgical adhesions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suturing or stapling is used to seal tissue wounds, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but healing is compromised and operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidhealing compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sealing methods (suturing, stapling) with a chemical bonding system using hydrogel precursors that react to form cross-linked sealant. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners that compromise tissue healing, while achieving effective sealing through chemical adhesion and bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the hydrogel precursor composition, specifically controlling the reaction conditions and precursor distribution to optimize sealing effectiveness. The cross-linking reaction parameters are adjusted to create a sealant that bonds effectively to tissue while maintaining biocompatibility and healing promotion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If biological glues or synthetic glues are used for tissue sealing, then sealing is achieved without mechanical trauma, but biocompatibility and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing without mechanical traumaVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material design by combining multiple hydrogel precursors with complementary functional groups in a single composition. This composite approach creates a cross-linked network that provides both sealing effectiveness and enhanced biocompatibility, as the combined chemistry offers superior tissue compatibility compared to single-component biological or synthetic glues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel precursor composition is designed to self-react and self-assemble upon contact with physiological fluids, forming the cross-linked sealant automatically without requiring external agents or complex application systems. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent sealing performance while maintaining biocompatibility through controlled, natural-like chemical reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If physical bonding techniques like laser welding are used, then sealing strength is improved, but tissue damage and thermal effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing strengthVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical bonding techniques (laser welding, radio-frequency welding) with a chemical bonding system using hydrogel precursors that form cross-linked sealant through chemical reactions. This substitution eliminates thermal and mechanical trauma to tissue while achieving equivalent or superior sealing strength through chemical adhesion and cross-linking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel precursor composition acts as an intermediary substance that mediates the bonding between tissue surfaces. Rather than direct physical or thermal bonding, the cross-linked sealant serves as a intermediary layer that chemically bonds to tissue, providing strong sealing while protecting tissue from direct thermal or mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a multi-layered structure with spatially separated hydrogel precursors is used, then sealing and anti-adhesive properties are achieved simultaneously, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing and anti-adhesive propertiesVSAvoidmulti-layered structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the patch into multiple layers, with each layer containing specific hydrogel precursors positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows different regions of the patch to perform different functions: some regions provide sealing while others provide anti-adhesive properties, achieving dual functionality through spatial organization rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layered patch structure is designed to provide multiple functions simultaneously: sealing, anti-adhesive properties, and tissue integration support. By incorporating different hydrogel precursors in different layers, the single patch device achieves universal applicability for both sealing and preventing adhesion, eliminating the need for separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 patch effectively seals tissue wounds, promotes healing, and reduces adhesion formation, providing a safe, affordable, and biocompatible solution for visceral tissue repair, suitable for various surgical applications including gastro-intestinal anastomosis and hernia repair.

Implementation Method 1

a composition containing a second hydrogel precursor directly spread onto the porous matrix layer... the first hydrogel precursor and the second hydrogel precursor react to form a biocompatible cross-linked material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding