Multifunctionalized Polycaprolactone Polymer Bioactive Binding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing production methods for polycaprolactone polymers require additional processing steps and copolymerization with functionalized monomers, which limit the variety of molecules that can be attached and can affect the polymer's properties in undesirable ways, such as changing strength, elasticity, and biodegradability.

Innovation Solution

The development of multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymers with multiple functional groups, such as amino and hydroxyl groups, that can bind bioactive compounds directly during polymerization, reducing the need for post-polymerization processing steps and allowing for tunable active sites for molecule attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional processing steps and copolymerization with functionalized monomers are used, then functional groups can be attached to polycaprolactone, but the variety of molecules that can be attached is limited and the polymer's properties (strength, elasticity, biodegradability) are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of molecules that can be attachedVSAvoidpolymer strength, elasticity, and biodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating multiple functional groups (amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl) directly into the polycaprolactone polymer backbone during the polymerization process, rather than adding them later through post-polymerization modifications. This preliminary incorporation of functional groups eliminates the need for subsequent processing steps and copolymerization with functionalized monomers, thereby preserving the polymer's mechanical properties while enabling diverse bioactive compound attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional processing steps are used to attach functional groups, then the production process becomes more complex, but the variety of functional groups available is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of functional groupsVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the polymerization process with the introduction of functional groups by using multifunctionalized caprolactone monomers that contain multiple functional groups (amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl) in the same molecule. This combining of processes allows functional groups to be incorporated during standard polymerization without requiring separate post-polymerization modification steps, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining functional group diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If copolymerization with functionalized monomers is used, then functional groups can be introduced, but the active sites for molecule attachment are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive sites for molecule attachmentVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing multiple different functional groups (amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl) at specific positions within the polymer backbone structure derived from multifunctionalized caprolactone monomers. This creates multiple distinct types of active sites along the polymer chain, each capable of binding different bioactive compounds through different mechanisms, thereby increasing the variety of attachable molecules without requiring copolymerization with multiple different functionalized monomers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach enables the formation of polycaprolactone polymers with variable active sites for binding bioactive compounds, enhancing their applications in biomedical fields like tissue engineering and drug delivery while simplifying the production process and maintaining desired properties like biodegradability and compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

Polycaprolactone is prepared by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with a variety of catalysts, such as anionic, cationic, and coordination catalysts.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization:

Implementation Method 2

The multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer can be reacted with a bioactive compound.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10828371B2Multifunctionalized bioactive polycaprolactone

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer, a process for forming a multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material containing a multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer are disclosed. The multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer includes at least two functional groups. The process of forming the multifunctionalized polycaprolactone polymer includes forming a caprolactone monomer having at least two functional groups, and polymerizing the caprolactone monomer. Further, the article of manufacture includes a polycaprolactone polymer having at least two functional groups.