Meniscal Repair Adhesive for Aqueous Tissue Bonding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating meniscal tears, such as open or arthroscopic surgery, face challenges in effectively repairing tissue defects within an aqueous environment like the knee joint, where traditional materials may not retain integrity and bond properly with meniscal tissue.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a prepolymer with free isocyanate groups that cures in vivo upon water exposure to form a polymer with specific mechanical properties, combined with miscible oils like silicone or mineral oils, which retains integrity in an aqueous medium and bonds to tissue, facilitating tissue repair by forming a scaffold for regrowth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials are used in aqueous environment during meniscal repair surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the materials do not retain integrity and fail to bond properly with meniscal tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adhesive by using a two-component system (isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and polyol) that undergoes polyurethane formation reaction. This chemical transformation allows the adhesive to maintain stability in aqueous environment during application, then cure to form a strong bond with meniscal tissue, resolving the integrity issue in wet conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and polyol components. This composite approach enables the material to exhibit both aqueous stability during delivery and strong tissue-bonding capability after mixing, overcoming the limitation of traditional single-material adhesives that fail in wet environments
2Strength
If the adhesive cures too quickly upon water exposure, then rapid bonding occurs, but there is insufficient time for proper application and positioning in the surgical field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and polyol components immediately before application. The adhesive begins curing only after mixing and contact with tissue moisture, providing a controlled time window for application and positioning while ensuring rapid bonding once in place, thus balancing application time with bonding strength
3Ease of operation
If the adhesive has high viscosity for easy application, then delivery is simplified, but the adhesive cannot properly penetrate and bond with the meniscal tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by formulating the adhesive with appropriate viscosity characteristics that allow it to flow and penetrate meniscal tissue defects during application, then cure to form a strong bond. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and polyol combination creates a rheologically optimized adhesive that balances deliverability with tissue penetration capability
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 composition effectively bonds to meniscal tissue, withstands mechanical forces, and maintains integrity during surgery, enabling durable repair of meniscal defects and promoting tissue regrowth by forming a stable, scaffold-like structure.
Implementation Method 1
a prepolymer having at least one free isocyanate group that is capable of bonding to tissue and that cures in vivo upon exposure to water to form a polymer
Implementation Method 2
at least one free isocyanate group that is capable of bonding to tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A composition that includes (a) a prepolymer having at least one free isocyanate group that is capable of bonding to tissue and that cures in vivo upon exposure to water to form a polymer having a compressive modulus between 1.9 and 14.4 MPa and a tensile modulus between 5.0 and 30, and (b) an oil that is miscible in the prepolymer, the oil being selected from the group consisting of silicone oils, mineral oil, vegetable oils, and combinations thereof. The composition retains its integrity when delivered in an aqueous medium.