Temperature-Responsive PGD Elastomer for Soft Tissue Engineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elastomeric polymers used in soft tissue engineering are too soft at room temperature, making surgical implantation difficult, and they fail to withstand physiological stresses without adverse responses, such as restenosis in blood vessel grafts.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable elastomeric polymer composition based on cross-linked polyester formed from glycerol and dodecanedioic acid, which exhibits shape memory and modulates modulus and strain at break with temperature, allowing the polymer to be stiff at room temperature for easier manipulation and soft at body temperature for better tissue compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elastomeric polymers are made soft and pliable at room temperature for tissue engineering applications, then tissue compatibility and elasticity matching are improved, but surgical implantation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer composition dynamically changes its mechanical properties in response to temperature changes. At room temperature, the polymer maintains rigidity for easy manipulation and implantation, while at body temperature, it transitions to a soft, pliable state that matches soft tissue elasticity. This dynamic property change allows the same material to satisfy both surgical handling requirements and tissue compatibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature as a controlling parameter to change the physical state of the polymer. By designing the polymer composition with specific glass transition temperature characteristics, the material transitions from a rigid state during surgery to a flexible state in the body, resolving the contradiction between ease of implantation and tissue compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If elastomeric polymers are made rigid at room temperature for easier manipulation during implantation, then surgical operation is improved, but the polymer fails to withstand physiological stresses without adverse responses
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer's mechanical properties are designed to be dynamic rather than static. During implantation at room temperature, the polymer appears rigid and easy to manipulate. Once implanted and exposed to body temperature, the polymer transitions to a compliant state that allows it to withstand physiological stresses without causing adverse responses such as restenosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transition behavior of the polymer composition, specifically the glass transition temperature range. The polymer is designed to be in a glassy, rigid phase at room temperature for surgical handling, then transitions to a rubbery, flexible phase at body temperature, enabling it to accommodate physiological stressors while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polymer devices are made soft and compliant to match soft tissue elasticity, then tissue compatibility is improved, but the device cannot maintain rigid shape during surgical implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer composition exhibits dynamic shape maintenance capabilities. At room temperature, the polymer maintains its molded shape and structural integrity, allowing it to be handled and positioned during surgery. At body temperature, the same polymer becomes compliant and flexible, matching soft tissue elasticity while still maintaining its form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature is used as the controlling parameter to switch between shape maintenance and shape compliance. The polymer's glass transition temperature is designed to fall within the surgical to post-surgical temperature range, automatically switching between rigid shape maintenance during implantation and flexible shape adaptation in the body.
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 polymer composition facilitates easier surgical implantation and better matches soft tissue elasticity, reducing adverse physiological responses and providing a suitable mechanical profile for soft tissue replacement with a long degradation time and excellent biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linked polyester having shape memory
Implementation Method 2
exhibits shape memory and modulates modulus and strain at break with temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A biocompatible and biodegradable elastomeric polymer material, the polymer material comprising: glycerol and dodecanedioic acid, wherein the molar ratio of glycerol to dodecanedioic acid is from about 5:1 to about 1:5. Methods for using the biocompatible and biodegradable elastomeric polymer material comprises providing an PGD elastomeric polymer comprising glycerol and dodecanedioic acid, in a molar ratio of glycerol to dodecanedioic acid of about 1:1 and administering the PGD elastomeric polymer to a soft tissue defect site in needs thereof.