Polyalkyleneimine Hydrogel Sealant for Tissue Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sealants and adhesives for medical applications, such as skin lacerations, liver lacerations, lung surgery, corneal perforations, and other surgical procedures, face challenges including toxicity, rapid polymerization, poor adhesion to moist tissues, and complications like scarring, infection, and prolonged healing times, particularly in sensitive areas like the eye and liver.
Innovation Solution
Development of polyalkyleneimine-based hydrogels that can be cross-linked to form a sealant capable of adhering tightly to tissues, promoting healing, and maintaining structural integrity without toxicity, while being biodegradable and non-invasive, suitable for use in ophthalmic, vascular, and other surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealants and adhesives are used for medical applications, then wound sealing and tissue adhesion are achieved, but toxicity and complications like scarring and infection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using polyalkyleneimine polymers with specific molecular weights (200-20,000 Daltons) and controlled crosslinking densities, transforming the material properties to achieve non-toxic, biocompatible wound sealing that eliminates the toxicity problems of traditional adhesives
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite hydrogel system combining polyalkyleneimine polymers with crosslinking agents (glutaraldehyde, genipin, or formaldehyde) to form a network structure that provides both effective wound sealing and biocompatibility, eliminating the harmful effects of single-material adhesives
2Productivity
If rapid polymerization is used in sealants, then quick sealing is achieved, but poor adhesion to moist tissues and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first allowing the polyalkyleneimine polymer to penetrate and bind to the moist tissue surface, then subsequently crosslinking to form the gel structure, ensuring strong adhesion before final sealing is achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control over the polymerization process through adjustable crosslinking conditions, allowing the sealant to transition from a fluid state for application to a gel state for structural integrity, optimizing both sealing speed and adhesion strength
3Strength
If crosslinked hydrogels are used to maintain structural integrity, then wound strength is improved, but biodegradability and non-invasive properties are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biodegradability parameter by selecting polyalkyleneimine polymers with specific molecular weights and crosslinking densities that allow controlled degradation through hydrolysis and enzymatic breakdown, maintaining structural integrity during healing while ensuring eventual biodegradation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention designs the hydrogel to naturally degrade and be discarded by the body's physiological processes after serving its wound sealing function, with the crosslinked network breaking down into harmless byproducts that are metabolized or excreted
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 polyalkyleneimine hydrogels provide a strong, biocompatible seal that adheres well to tissues, promotes healing, and maintains structural integrity, reducing complications like scarring and infection, and are suitable for sensitive areas like the eye and liver, offering a more effective alternative to traditional sutures and adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linked to form a sealant capable of adhering tightly to tissues
Implementation Method 2
polyalkyleneimine-based hydrogels that can be cross-linked to form a sealant
Implementation Method 3
adhering tightly to tissues, promoting healing
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention generally relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void splace. In a preferred embodiment, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane comprises a polyalkyleneimine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneimine is polyethyleneimine. Treatment of the polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking reagent causes the polyethyleneimine polymers to polymerize forming a seal. In certain instances, the cross-linking reagent is a polyethylene glycol having reactive terminal groups. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy succinimide ester. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are isocyanates. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine has a lysine, cysteine, isocysteine or other nucleophilic group attached to the periphery of the polymer. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine is mixed with a second polymer, such as a polyethylene glycol containing nucleophilic groups. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane are formed by reacting a polyalkyleneimine bearing electrophilic groups with a cross-linking reagent containing nucleophilic groups. In certain instances, the electrophilic groups on the polyalkyleneimine are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy succinimide ester. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane are formed by reacting a polyalkyleneimine bearing photopolymerizable groups with ultraviolet or visible light. Compositions used to seal the wound which contain PEI or a derivative of PEI are found to adhere tightly to the tissue. Other aspects of the present invention relate to methods of filling a void of a patient or adhering tissue. In certain instances, the methods use a polyalkyleneimine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneimine is polyethyleneimine. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a polymeric composition formed by exposing a polyalkyleneimine to an activated polyalkylene glycol. In certain instances, the composition is attached to mammalian tissue.