Non-immunogenic Microporous Hydrogel for Glottic Incompetence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for glottic incompetence, such as vocal fold injections and surgical manipulation, rely on natural polymers that provide temporary solutions due to their degradability and immunogenicity, necessitating frequent surgical corrections.

Innovation Solution

Development of non-degradable, non-immunogenic microporous hydrogel compositions comprising a bioinert polymeric backbone, a physiologically-stable alkene for annealing, and a heterogeneously distributed heparin compound, which forms a stable scaffold resistant to degradation and immune response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If natural polymers are used for injectable fillers, then good tissue integration is achieved, but longevity is sacrificed (only last 1-18 months) and frequent surgical corrections are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue integrationVSAvoidlongevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining synthetic non-degradable polymers (polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol) with natural polymer components (hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate). This composite approach allows the filler to achieve both good tissue integration (from natural polymer components) and long-term persistence (from synthetic non-degradable backbone), resolving the contradiction between integration and longevity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the degradation parameter of the filler material by using non-degradable synthetic polymers as the backbone. This parameter change transforms the temporary nature of natural polymers into permanent persistence, while maintaining integration capabilities through surface modifications and natural polymer coatings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If non-degradable synthetic polymers are used, then longevity is improved, but immunogenicity increases requiring surgical correction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelongevityVSAvoidimmunogenicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a bioinert environment by using polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol as the polymer backbone. These synthetic polymers are specifically selected for their non-immunogenic and bioinert properties, creating an inert biological environment that resists degradation and immune response while maintaining long-term persistence in the body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous microsphere structures with controlled porosity (30-70% void volume). This porous architecture allows tissue infiltration and integration while the synthetic polymer matrix maintains non-immunogenicity. The porous structure enables cellular penetration and tissue ingrowth without triggering immune rejection, resolving the contradiction between longevity and immunogenicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 composition achieves long-term integration with tissues, resisting degradation for at least 90 days and minimizing immune response, thereby providing a durable solution for treating glottic incompetence and other tissue bulking applications.

Implementation Method 1

an annealing component comprising a physiologically-stable, radically polymerizable alkene, wherein the annealing component links the flowable hydrogel particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

comprising a bioinert polymeric backbone... The microporous hydrogel composition can be substantially non-degradable and substantially non-immunogenic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBioinertness:

Data Source

PatentUS12220500B2Compositions and methods for preparing and using non-immunogenic fast annealing microporous annealed particle hydrogels

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 UNIV OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUND

AI summary

Non-degradable, non-immunogenic microporous hydrogel compositions are provided. Such hydrogel compositions consist of flowable hydrogel particles comprising a bioinert polymeric backbone, including for example a poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-based polymeric backbone, an annealing component comprising a physiologically-stable, radically polymerizable alkene, including for example methacrylamide, and a heparin compound. Methods of treating glottic incompetence and/or providing laryngeal reconstruction are also provided. Such methods consist of providing a subject suffering from glottic incompetence and/or in need of laryngeal reconstruction, and administering a non-degradable, non-immunogenic microporous hydrogel composition disclosed herein.