Nitrosothiol Nitric Oxide Precursors for Controlled Release Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing nitric oxide precursors are complex, expensive, and limited in flexibility, stability, and applicability, particularly for ex vivo sterilization and diverse uses, lacking control over the release rate and form of nitric oxide.
Innovation Solution
A solventless, 1-pot synthesis method using thiol-containing alcohols, silanes, and nitrosating compounds to form nitrosothiol-containing nitric oxide precursors, which can be coupled with carriers for controlled release and varied forms and sizes, allowing for flexible synthesis and application in diverse settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catalytic or enzymatic generation methods are used to produce nitric oxide from nitrite or NO donating compounds, then nitric oxide can be generated for sterilization, but the system becomes relatively complex requiring complex equipment for generation, maintenance, and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the nitric oxide generation function from complex catalytic/enzymatic systems and embeds it directly into the precursor molecule structure itself. The nitrosothiol group (RSNO) is incorporated into lipid nanoparticles or polymers, allowing the compound to spontaneously release nitric oxide without requiring external catalysts or enzymes, thereby eliminating the complex generation system while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The nitric oxide precursors are designed to be self-activating compounds that release nitric oxide through spontaneous decomposition or triggered by simple environmental conditions (pH, temperature). The molecule itself contains both the nitric oxide source and the activation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate generation, maintenance, and disposal systems while ensuring reliable sterilization
2Reliability
If lipid-based nitric oxide precursors are used for in vivo treatment, then nitric oxide can be released at the site of use, but the concentration of nitric oxide is generally insufficient for sterilization in ex vivo situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite materials by incorporating nitric oxide precursors into lipid nanoparticle matrices or polymeric carriers. This composite structure allows for high loading concentrations of nitric oxide precursors (exceeding 50% by weight in some embodiments), enabling sufficient nitric oxide release for ex vivo sterilization while maintaining the targeted release properties needed for in vivo applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of nitric oxide precursors by incorporating them into different carrier systems (lipid nanoparticles vs. polymers) and adjusting their composition, size, and structure. These parameter changes enable the same precursor compounds to achieve both high concentration release for sterilization and controlled release for therapeutic applications
3Quantity of substance
If polymeric materials are modified to include pendant nitrosothiol groups for NO-based sterilization, then nitric oxide can be released in useful amounts, but the approach is limited to specific reactive groups that are only present in certain polymers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal nitric oxide precursor system that can be incorporated into multiple types of carriers (lipid nanoparticles, various polymers, coatings) without requiring specific reactive groups on the carrier. The precursors are designed to be compatible with diverse materials including polycarbonate-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers, polyurethane-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polydimethylsiloxane, enabling broad applicability across different device and material types
4Reliability
If multiple reaction sequences with expensive reactants are used to form nitric oxide precursors, then nitrosothiol groups can be introduced into polymers, but the synthesis becomes relatively complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate reaction steps into a single one-pot synthesis process. Instead of sequentially introducing amine groups, then thiol groups, then nitrosothiol groups through separate reactions, the invention combines these transformations into one integrated reaction sequence that directly produces the nitric oxide precursor within the carrier matrix, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs
5Reliability
If small molecule nitrosothiols are used as nitric oxide precursors, then they can decompose to form nitric oxide, but they are endemically unstable especially when in solution and provide no flexibility in making primary, secondary, or tertiary RSNOs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stabilizes nitric oxide precursors by incorporating them into composite structures such as lipid nanoparticle matrices or polymeric carriers. This composite approach protects the unstable nitrosothiol groups from premature decomposition while maintaining their ability to release nitric oxide when triggered, solving the stability problem without sacrificing nitric oxide generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances precursor stability by changing the physical state and microenvironment of the nitrosothiol groups through incorporation into solid or semi-solid carrier matrices. This parameter change from solution phase to matrix-embedded phase dramatically improves stability while preserving the triggered nitric oxide release capability and enabling synthesis of primary, secondary, and tertiary RSNOs
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
Enables simple, cost-effective, and flexible production of nitric oxide precursors with controlled release rates, suitable for a wide range of applications including medical and consumer devices, providing effective sterilization and sanitization.
Implementation Method 1
combining a thiol-containing alcohol, a silane, and a nitrosating compound to form a reaction mixture, and reacting the thiol-containing alcohol with the silane to form a thiol-containing intermediate and reacting the thiol-containing intermediate with the nitrosating compound to form the nitrosothiol-containing nitric oxide precursor
Implementation Method 2
nitric oxide can be produced at the site of use from a precursor compound that releases upon decomposition the nitric oxide
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods are presented for a nitric oxide precursor that decomposes to thereby release nitric oxide. The nitric oxide precursor includes a reaction product of a thiol-containing alcohol, a silane, and a nitrosating compound that allows for technically simple (e.g., solventless 1-pot synthesis) and flexible synthesis of nitric oxide precursors and mixtures thereof that allow for controlled release rate of nitric oxide (e.g., via use of primary, secondary, and/or tertiary nitrosothiols, alone or in combination with additives).