Polyanionic Composition Dissociates Polymeric Membranes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current encapsulation technologies lack a cell-friendly method to dissociate polymeric membranes, which is essential for releasing encapsulated substances without denaturing them, particularly in biotechnology and biomedicine applications where downstream processing requires non-encapsulated cells.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising non-toxic polyanionic materials such as polysaccharide sulfates, poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), or polyacrylic acid is used to dissociate polymeric membranes, specifically targeting sodium cellulose sulfate and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride complexes, allowing for the release of encapsulated substances like cells into a cell-friendly medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If polymeric membranes are used for encapsulation, then protection and stability of encapsulated substances are improved, but the ability to release substances without denaturation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of encapsulated substancesVSAvoiddenaturation of released substances

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymeric membrane by introducing specific cleavable bonds (disulfide bonds, ester bonds, or hydrolytically unstable bonds) into the polymer structure. These bonds are designed to break under specific conditions (reducing environment, enzymatic action, or hydrolysis), allowing the membrane to transition from a stable protective state to a degraded release state without denaturing the encapsulated substance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates cleavable bonds into the polymeric membrane structure during the encapsulation process, preparing the membrane in advance for controlled degradation. This preliminary action ensures that when release is needed, the membrane can rapidly and controllably break down without requiring harsh external conditions that might denature the encapsulated substance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If polymeric membranes are used for encapsulation, then protection and stability of encapsulated substances are improved, but ease of operation for releasing substances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of encapsulated substancesVSAvoidease of releasing substances

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polymeric membrane to contain cleavable bonds that respond to specific environmental parameters (redox potential, pH, enzyme presence). This allows the membrane to remain stable under normal conditions but easily degrade when exposed to the triggering parameter, providing simple and controllable release operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary cleavable bonds within the polymeric membrane structure that act as mediators between the stable encapsulated state and the released state. These bonds serve as a trigger mechanism that can be activated by external agents (reducing agents, enzymes, water) to initiate membrane degradation and substance release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If polymeric membranes are used for encapsulation, then protection of encapsulated substances is improved, but adaptability for downstream processing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of encapsulated substancesVSAvoidadaptability for downstream processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polymeric membrane into smaller fragments through the incorporation of cleavable bonds. When these bonds break, the continuous membrane structure is divided into smaller pieces, allowing the encapsulated substance to be released in a fragmented form that is more suitable for downstream processing applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the polymeric membrane in advance with built-in cleavable bonds that will break under specific conditions. This preliminary incorporation of degradation pathways allows the membrane to adapt from a protective continuous structure to a fragmented structure suitable for downstream processing, without requiring post-encapsulation modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 method effectively dissociates polymeric membranes, releasing encapsulated substances without causing significant damage, as demonstrated by cell viability studies, enabling new applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, and other fields by providing a controlled and non-toxic means to break down encapsulant materials.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS11103585B2Use of a polyanionic composition

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 AUSTRIANOVA SINGAPORE PTE

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a use of a composition, comprising a non-toxic polyanionic material or a salt thereof to dissociate a polymeric membrane. In addition, a method of dissociating a polymeric membrane is also presented, the method comprising the steps of providing a polymeric membrane; and dissociating the polymeric membrane by adding a composition comprising a non-toxic polyanionic material to the polymeric membrane.