Method for preparing an Anti-adhesion barrier film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical adhesion barriers lack sufficient tensile strength, conformability, and resistance to tearing, making them difficult to handle and manipulate during surgery, while also failing to effectively prevent post-surgical adhesions, which can lead to chronic pain, infertility, and increased surgical risks.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing a surgical anti-adhesion barrier film using a solution of oxidized collagen and polyphosphate, which is applied in multiple layers and dried to create a strong, flexible, and bioabsorbable film that can be used alone or coated on prosthetic fabrics for hernia repair, providing mechanical strength and conformability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrophobic and inert artificial polymers or absorbable polymer substances are used as adhesion barriers, then the barrier can prevent postsurgical adhesions, but the mechanical strength and conformability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion prevention effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining oxidized collagen (natural polymer) with polyphosphate crosslinking agents to create a film that achieves both adhesion prevention and mechanical strength. The collagen provides the barrier function while polyphosphate crosslinks create a strong network structure, resolving the contradiction between softness for adhesion prevention and strength for handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of collagen through oxidation treatment, transforming native collagen into oxidized collagen with enhanced reactivity and film-forming properties. This parameter change enables the material to achieve both the required mechanical strength and the smooth surface texture needed for effective adhesion barrier function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the barrier material is made soft and smooth to prevent cell recolonization, then adhesion prevention is improved, but handling and manipulation during surgery becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion prevention effectivenessVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The composite of oxidized collagen and polyphosphate creates a material with dual characteristics: a smooth surface for adhesion prevention and a strong internal network for handling. The polyphosphate crosslinked structure provides tensile strength while the collagen matrix maintains surface smoothness, enabling both effective adhesion barrier function and easy surgical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves different properties in different aspects of the same material: the surface maintains smoothness for adhesion prevention while the bulk structure develops strength through polyphosphate crosslinking. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between softness for barrier function and strength for handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the barrier film is made thin and conformable to follow tissue deformations, then conformability is improved, but resistance to tearing and suture damage decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconformabilityVSAvoidtear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidation of collagen changes its physical and chemical parameters, enabling it to form a film that is both thin and strong. The oxidized collagen molecules form a more reactive and interconnected network when crosslinked with polyphosphate, achieving high strength in thin films that can conform to tissues while resisting tearing and suture damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of oxidized collagen with polyphosphate crosslinking creates a composite structure where the collagen provides thin-film conformability and the polyphosphate network provides tear resistance. This composite approach allows the film to be both conformable and mechanically robust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Duration of action of stationary object

If collagenous material is used for the barrier film, then bioresorbability is achieved, but tensile strength and resistance to tearing are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioresorbabilityVSAvoidtensile strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies oxidation treatment to collagen, changing its chemical structure and reactivity. This parameter change enables the collagen to form stronger intermolecular bonds when crosslinked with polyphosphate, significantly enhancing tensile strength while preserving the bioresorbable nature of the collagen material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Polyphosphate acts as a crosslinking intermediary between oxidized collagen molecules, creating a strengthened network while maintaining the overall bioresorbable character of the collagen-based material. The polyphosphate temporarily reinforces the structure during the critical post-surgical period before being gradually resorbed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 resulting film exhibits improved tensile strength and elongation at break, allowing for easy handling and resistance to tearing, while effectively preventing post-surgical adhesions by maintaining a smooth, nonporous surface and promoting tissue separation without adhesion.

Implementation Method 1

a first layer of solution obtained in c) is casted on an inert support... before complete gelation of the layer obtained in e), a second layer... is applied on top

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

the gelified first and second layers are dried to obtain a film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250018092A1Method for preparing an Anti-adhesion barrier film
Publication Date: 2025.01.16 SOFRADIM PRODUCTION SAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a surgical anti-adhesion barrier film comprising the following steps:a°) a first solution, comprising an oxidized collagen is prepared,b) a polyphosphate compound is added to the solution of a) in a quantity so as to obtain a concentration of polyphosphate ranging from 0.007 to 0.7%, by weight, with respect to the total weight of the solution,c) the pH of the solution obtained in b) is adjusted to about 9 by addition of a base or to about 5.1 by addition of an acid,d) a diluted solution is prepared by adding water to solution of c),e) a first layer of solution obtained in c) is casted on an inert support,f) before complete gelation of the layer obtained in d), a second layer, of diluted solution obtained in d) is applied on top of said first layer and let to gelify,g) the gelified first and second layers are dried to obtain a film.The invention further relates to a film obtainable by such a method and to a surgical implant comprising a prosthetic fabric and such a film.