Injectable Hyaluronan-Methylcellulose Hydrogel for Tissue Adhesion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-adhesive barriers are difficult to deliver and do not sufficiently reduce or limit tissue adhesion, leading to post-surgical complications such as chronic pain and complications in subsequent surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogel composition comprising 2-6% hyaluronan and 3-18% methylcellulose, with a combined ratio of 1:1 to 1:5, is administered to tissues during or after surgery, providing an injectable solution that limits tissue adhesion for up to 8 weeks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current anti-adhesive barriers are used, then tissue adhesion is limited to some extent, but the barriers are difficult to deliver and do not sufficiently reduce tissue adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy of tissue adhesion reductionVSAvoiddeliverability of barrier
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the hydrogel components. By formulating a low-viscosity solution with specific concentrations of hyaluronan (0.1-5% w/v) and methylcellulose (0.1-10% w/v), the composition becomes easily injectable through small-gauge needles while maintaining effective anti-adhesive properties upon delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two biocompatible polymers - hyaluronan and methylcellulose - in specific ratios to create a composite hydrogel composition. This composite approach provides both ease of delivery (due to low viscosity) and sufficient efficacy (through synergistic interaction of the two polymers in forming anti-adhesive barriers)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If anti-adhesive barriers are applied to limit tissue adhesion, then post-surgical complications are reduced, but the barriers are difficult to deliver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepost-surgical complications from tissue adhesionVSAvoiddeliverability of barrier
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes viscosity parameters by controlling polymer concentrations and molecular weights, enabling the composition to flow easily through small-gauge needles during delivery while maintaining sufficient viscosity and structural integrity after injection to form effective anti-adhesive barriers that prevent post-surgical complications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the fluid dynamics properties of the low-viscosity hydrogel solution to enable easy injection through small-gauge needles. The composition's rheological characteristics allow it to be delivered hydraulically through minimally invasive routes while maintaining stability and efficacy at the target site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 effectively reduces tissue adhesion by forming a localized mass, limiting fibrosis and adhesion for an extended period, thereby reducing chronic pain and complications in surgeries involving small incisions.

Implementation Method 1

A hydrogel composition comprising 2-6% hyaluronan and 3-18% methylcellulose, with a combined ratio of 1:1 to 1:5, is administered to tissues during or after surgery, providing an injectable solution that limits tissue adhesion for up to 8 weeks.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Data Source

PatentEP3969056B1Anti-adhesive hydrogel composition
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIV OF TORONTO
  • EP3969056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3969056B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3969056B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A method of reducing or limiting tissue adhesion comprises contacting the tissue with an effective amount of a hydrogel composition comprising: 2% to 6% by weight hyaluronan, and 3% to 18% by weight methylcellulose, wherein the combined total amount of hyaluronan and methylcellulose in the hydrogel is between 8 and 24% by weight; and wherein the ratio of hyaluronan:methylcellulose is between 1:1 and 1:5 w/w. The hydrogel composition and may be used to reduce or limit tissue adhesion that is correlated with surgery, and may be used in surgeries wherein the surgery is performed through a small incision or opening.