Injectable Polymethacrylate Implants for Bone Healing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone fracture treatments face challenges with non-critical fractures, as existing implants require surgery and do not effectively support stem cell growth or provide controlled drug release for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
Development of rapidly solidifying injectable implant compositions using polymethacrylate copolymers that are insoluble in physiological pH, combined with a water-soluble organic solvent for injection, which solidify upon contact with an aqueous medium, supporting stem cell attachment and proliferation, and providing controlled release of bone-active agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional barrier membranes are used for guided bone regeneration, then bone healing can be supported, but surgery is required for insertion which outweighs benefits in non-critical fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the physical state of the barrier membrane from solid (requiring surgical insertion) to liquid injectable form. The polymethacrylate copolymer is dissolved in a water-soluble organic solvent to create an injectable solution that can be administered without surgery, then solidifies in situ to provide bone healing support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the polymethacrylate copolymer from dissolved state in organic solvent to solidified state upon contact with aqueous medium. This phase change enables the material to be injected as a liquid and then transform into a solid barrier membrane in situ, eliminating the need for surgical insertion while maintaining structural integrity for bone regeneration
2Ease of operation
If poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid injectable implants are used, then surgical insertion is avoided, but the implants do not support stem cell growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining polymethacrylate copolymer with specific additives including bone-active agents and stem cell support molecules. This composite formulation maintains the injectable property while adding functional capabilities for stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation that plain poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid lacks
3Reliability
If injectable gels comprising ammonio-methacrylate copolymer are used, then stem cell support is provided, but the gels disintegrate and do not maintain shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific polymethacrylate copolymers with appropriate molecular weight, charge characteristics, and hydrophobicity. These parameter optimizations enable the gel to maintain shape and structural integrity while retaining stem cell support capabilities, overcoming the disintegration problem of previous formulations
4Strength
If polymers are combined to improve mechanical properties, then degradation resistance increases, but polymer incompatibility may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water-soluble organic solvents as intermediaries to dissolve and compatibilize polymers that would otherwise be incompatible. The solvent acts as a mediating medium that allows different polymers to coexist in solution and form stable composite structures upon solidification, preventing phase separation and maintaining mechanical integrity
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 injectable implants accelerate bone healing by promoting stem cell attachment and proliferation, maintaining mechanical properties, and ensuring controlled drug release, thereby addressing the limitations of existing implant technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The water-soluble organic solvent leaves the injectable implant composition upon contact with aqueous medium, e.g. upon injection, thereby effecting the solidification of the polymers of the implant
Implementation Method 2
polymethacrylate copolymers that are insoluble in physiological pH, combined with a water-soluble organic solvent for injection, which solidify upon contact with an aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein injectable implant compositions useful for acceleration of bone fracture healing, treatment of dental or oral pathologies, and controlled drug delivery.