Hydrolysable Polymer Linkers for Controlled Biodegradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodegradable polymers are often water-insoluble, leading to challenges in drug formulation and potential protein denaturation, and they have polydispersed molecular architectures resulting in variable and uncontrollable degradation rates, limiting their commercial use.
Innovation Solution
Development of biologically-acceptable and biodegradable linear and multiarmed linkers and cross-linkers with tunable degradation profiles, including symmetrical and unsymmetrical ether carboxylic acids, amines, amide diols, and isocyanates, which can be used to synthesize polymers with controlled degradation profiles for applications such as wound closure devices and drug delivery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic biodegradable polymers are used, then biodegradation capability is improved, but water solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer structure is segmented into hydrophobic biodegradable segments (providing degradation capability) and hydrophilic segments (providing water solubility). This segmentation allows the polymer to simultaneously achieve biodegradation through hydrolysis of ester linkages while maintaining water solubility through PEG chains, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polymer structures combining hydrophobic biodegradable components (lactide, glycolide, caprolactone) with hydrophilic PEG components. This composite approach enables the material to exhibit both biodegradation capability from the hydrophobic segments and water solubility from the hydrophilic PEG segments, simultaneously satisfying both requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional cross-linking methods are used, then network structure formation is improved, but degradation rate control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cross-linking mechanism by using hydrolytically labile ester linkages instead of conventional stable cross-links. The degradation rate is controlled by adjusting parameters such as cross-link density, ester linkage composition, and PEG chain length, allowing precise control over degradation kinetics while maintaining network structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ester linkages serve as intermediary bonds in the cross-network structure that can be hydrolyzed by water. These intermediary bonds provide a controlled degradation pathway, allowing the network to gradually break down through hydrolysis rather than sudden failure, enabling precise control over degradation rate while maintaining structural integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If polydispersed molecular architecture is used, then polymer synthesis flexibility is improved, but degradation rate uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality control by ensuring uniform distribution of hydrolytically labile ester linkages throughout the polymer network. Each local region of the polymer has similar degradation characteristics due to consistent incorporation of ester bonds and PEG segments, resulting in uniform bulk degradation behavior despite the complex cross-linked architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-linked network is designed with homogeneous distribution of degradable ester linkages and PEG segments throughout the structure. This homogeneity ensures that water penetration and hydrolysis occur uniformly across the material, leading to consistent degradation rates throughout the polymer network rather than localized rapid degradation
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 new linkers and cross-linkers enable the creation of polymers with controlled degradation rates, improving biodegradability and water solubility, allowing for more effective drug delivery and biomedical applications with defined degradation profiles.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanism of biodegradation in these polymers is generally through the hydrolytically-active components of water (hydronium and hydroxide ions), the rate of hydrolytic scission of the bonds holding a polymer network together is generally pH sensitive
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of linear and multiarmed hydrolysable linkers and cross linkers for use in the synthesis of biodegradable polymers such as, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyureas and degradable epoxy amine resin. The linear and multiarmed hydrolysable linkers of the present invention include symmetrical and/or unsymmetrical ether carboxylic acids, amines, amide diols, amine polyols and isocyanates.