Multi-Armed Polyoxazoline Hydrogels for Controlled Tissue Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for additional bioerodible injectable hydrogels and methods for their production and use in biomedical applications, particularly for creating space between tissues to mitigate side effects of off-target radiation therapy.

Innovation Solution

Multi-arm polymers comprising a core and polyoxazoline segments with reactive end groups, which can be crosslinked with multifunctional compounds to form hydrogels, using delivery devices for administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-arm PEG-based hydrogels are used for tissue spacing, then space between tissues is created to reduce off-target radiation therapy side effects, but the hydrogels require long-term stability for three months which limits biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogel stabilityVSAvoidbiodegradation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the hydrogel by using polyoxazoline segments with controlled end groups instead of traditional PEG-based structures. This allows tuning of the degradation rate while maintaining stability through the selection of specific end group functionalities that control hydrolysis rates and crosslinking density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite hydrogel structures by combining polyoxazoline segments with specific end group functionalities (carboxylic acid, amine, hydroxyl, or combinations thereof) that provide both stability for imaging and controlled biodegradation. The composite nature of these polymers allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and programmable degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If hydrogels are designed for biodegradation and clearance from the body, then long-term stability is reduced, but the hydrogels must remain stable and visible for three months for radiotherapy purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidvisibility duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular parameters of the polyoxazoline segments, including the number of repeating units, the type of end groups, and the crosslinking density, to achieve the optimal balance between biodegradation rate and visibility duration. The end group composition is specifically tuned to provide controlled hydrolysis that maintains structural integrity for three months while enabling eventual clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional hydrogel formulations are developed for biomedical applications, then therapeutic versatility is improved, but the complexity of production methods and material synthesis increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogel application rangeVSAvoidproduction method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops polyoxazoline-based hydrogels with universal applicability across multiple biomedical uses including tissue spacing, radiation therapy protection, and imaging. The core polyoxazoline structure with modifiable end groups provides a platform that can be adapted to different applications without requiring entirely new synthesis pathways, thus managing complexity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 multi-arm polymers can be used to create biodegradable hydrogels that are stable for therapeutic purposes and can be administered using delivery devices, providing effective tissue spacing and imaging capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

Multi-arm polymers comprising a core and polyoxazoline segments with reactive end groups, which can be crosslinked with multifunctional compounds to form hydrogels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

bioerodible injectable hydrogels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS12404369B2Multi-armed polyoxazolines and compositions, systems and methods pertaining to the same

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a multi-arm polymer comprising a core and a plurality of polyoxazoline segments (or arms) having a first end that is covalently attached to the core and a second end comprising a moiety that comprises a reactive group. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise a first composition comprising such a multi-arm polymer and a second composition comprising a multifunctional compound that comprises functional groups that are reactive with the reactive groups of the multi-arm polymer. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise crosslinked reaction products of such a multi-arm polymer and such a multifunctional compound.