Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel for GI Obstruction Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for gastric ESD-induced ulcers often result in gastrointestinal obstruction due to stenosis, a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract that can lead to partial or full obstruction, with no effective prevention methods available, leading to significant quality of life drops and the need for repeated treatments like balloon dilatation and steroid injections.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a self-assembling peptide, specifically (RADA)4, is administered as a hydrogel to the affected area, forming under physiological conditions to prevent or reduce stenosis by promoting healing and reducing scar contraction, which is delivered via a catheter for targeted application and can be used with or without biologically active agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is performed to remove lesions, then complete resection is achieved, but gastrointestinal obstruction due to stenosis occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete resectionVSAvoidgastrointestinal obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel is applied to the resection site immediately after ESD procedure, before stenosis develops. This preliminary action prevents scar contraction and maintains lumen patency during the healing process, thereby preventing gastrointestinal obstruction while preserving the complete resection benefit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If traditional treatments are used for ESD-induced ulcers, then ulcer healing is attempted, but stenosis develops causing obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveulcer healingVSAvoidstenosis
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel acts as an intermediary substance applied to the ulcer bed during healing. It modifies the healing process by preventing excessive scar contraction while allowing ulcer healing to proceed, thereby eliminating stenosis as a harmful factor without compromising ulcer healing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If balloon dilatation and steroid injections are used to treat stenosis, then obstruction is temporarily relieved, but repeated treatments are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstruction reliefVSAvoidrepeated treatments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By applying the hydrogel immediately after ESD, the invention prevents stenosis formation in the first place, eliminating the need for repeated balloon dilatation and steroid injections. This preliminary preventive action saves time by avoiding multiple follow-up treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel performs preliminary anti-action by preventing scar contraction before it can cause stenosis. This preemptive approach counteracts the pathological process before it leads to obstruction, eliminating the need for subsequent corrective treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 self-assembling peptide hydrogel effectively reduces the risk of post-ESD bleeding, promotes healing, and prevents stenosis, allowing the gastrointestinal tract to return to a pre-operative state, thereby alleviating obstruction and improving patient recovery without adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

a self-assembling peptide, the peptide in the solution consisting essentially of (RADA)4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 2

the peptide in the solution... to form a hydrogel under physiological conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogel formation: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentEP2968693B1Materials for gastrointestinal obstruction prevention
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 3D-MATRIX LTD
  • EP2968693B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2968693B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1F
  • EP2968693B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

Materials and methods for preventing gastrointestinal obstruction are provided. A peptide comprising between about 7 amino acids and about 32 amino acids in a solution may be introduced to a target site. The peptide may undergo self-organization under physiological conditions and/or in the presence of a cation.