Natural Polymer Tissue Adhesive for Wet Tissue Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tissue adhesives for internal use face challenges such as toxicity, poor mechanical strength, risk of viral infection, and irritation, particularly in applications like tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgeries where adhesion to wet tissue is required without causing choking hazards.

Innovation Solution

A tissue adhesive formed from a mixture of natural polymers, specifically chitosan and sodium alginate, combined with a dilute acid solution as an activating agent, which enhances adhesive properties and promotes wound healing, while being biocompatible and biodegradable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cyano-acrylates are used as tissue adhesive, then adhesive strength is improved, but toxicity increases making it unsuitable for internal use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters from synthetic cyano-acrylates to natural polymers (chitosan, alginate, gelatin) that provide adequate adhesive strength while being biocompatible and biodegradable, thus eliminating toxicity issues while maintaining functional performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite tissue adhesive formulation combining multiple natural polymers (chitosan, alginate, gelatin) with complementary properties - chitosan provides adhesion and antimicrobial activity, alginate provides gel structure and hemostasis, and gelatin provides biocompatibility and wound healing promotion, achieving both strength and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fibrin-based adhesives are used, then biocompatibility is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fibrin with other natural polymers (chitosan, alginate) to create a composite adhesive that maintains the biocompatibility of fibrin while gaining enhanced mechanical strength and durability from the additional polymer components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If current starch-based adhesives are used, then adhesion is improved, but bio-compatibility deteriorates due to cross-linking agents

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidirritation from cross-linking agents
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cross-linking mechanism from chemical cross-linking agents (which cause irritation) to physical cross-linking through ionic interactions between natural polymers (such as calcium ions cross-linking alginate), achieving strong adhesion while maintaining biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses naturally-derived, biodegradable polymers that are absorbed by the body over time, eliminating the need for permanent cross-linking agents and reducing long-term irritation risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If tissue adhesive is applied to wet tissue in tonsillectomy surgery, then adhesion is required, but choking hazard increases if additional adhesives are used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to wet tissueVSAvoidchoking hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional tissue adhesive that provides adhesion, hemostasis, and wound healing promotion in a single formulation, eliminating the need for additional separate adhesive applications that could increase choking hazard in tonsillectomy surgery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates the adhesive with optimized viscosity and adhesion characteristics that enable effective bonding to wet tissue surfaces without requiring thick or problematic additional adhesive layers, reducing choking risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adhesive demonstrates increased adhesion strength, accelerated wound healing, and durability in moist environments, making it suitable for post-surgical applications without the need for additional adhesives, thus reducing the risk of irritation and choking hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a tissue adhesive formed from a mixture of natural polymers, specifically chitosan and sodium alginate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

a tissue adhesive formed from a mixture of natural polymers in combination with an activating agent that enhances the adhesive properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 3

combined with a dilute acid solution as an activating agent, which enhances adhesive properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtonation:

Implementation Method 4

an activating agent that enhances the adhesive properties of the natural polymer mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interactions:

Implementation Method 5

a mixture of natural polymers, specifically chitosan and sodium alginate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplex coacervation: Coacervate

Implementation Method 6

accelerated wound healing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCell adhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 7

biocompatible and biodegradable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS20250025598A1Natural polymer-based tissue adhesive with healing-promoting properties
Publication Date: 2025.01.23 HCS INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

A tissue adhesive for contacting a tissue site, the tissue adhesive comprising: a mixture of natural polymers; and an activating agent enhancing the adhesive properties of the mixture of natural polymers. And a tissue adhesive for contacting a tissue site, the tissue adhesive comprising: a mixture of natural polymers; and an aqueous solution of a water soluble starch or a water soluble starch derivative which forms a gel with the addition of the mixture of natural polymers.