Biodegradable Polyether Network Polymers via Ester Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodegradable polyether network polymers for biomedical applications face challenges such as non-degradability and foreign body responses due to hydrophobic segments, which can incite inflammatory reactions and batch-to-batch variations in natural polymers, and processing issues with natural materials.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable polyether network polymers crosslinked via ester linkages, formed by reacting a multifunctional polyether monomer and a crosslinking monomer with hydroxy and complementary functional groups, allowing for hydrolytic degradation and minimizing inflammatory responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If poly(α-hydroxy acid) segments are incorporated into PEG hydrogel to enable biodegradation, then biodegradability is improved, but hydrophobicity increases causing foreign body responses and inflammatory reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinking mechanism by using ester linkages instead of incorporating hydrophobic poly(α-hydroxy acid) segments. This allows the polymer to degrade hydrolytically under physiological conditions without introducing hydrophobic segments that would trigger foreign body responses, thus resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and biocompatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic hydrophobic poly(α-hydroxy acid) segments from the hydrogel structure while retaining the desired biodegradability function through alternative ester linkage crosslinking of polyether chains, thereby eliminating the source of foreign body responses while maintaining degradation capability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If poly(α-hydroxy acid) segments are used for biodegradation, then degradation capability is improved, but local acid concentration increases causing inflammatory response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the degradation mechanism from enzymatic degradation of poly(α-hydroxy acid) that produces local acid concentration spikes to hydrolytic degradation of ester linkages that proceeds more uniformly, thereby maintaining degradation capability while eliminating the harmful local acid concentration effect that triggers inflammation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If natural polymer materials are used for scaffolds, then biocompatibility is improved, but batch-to-batch variation and immunogenicity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic copy of natural polymer properties by designing polyether-based hydrogels that replicate the biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and non-toxicity of natural materials like collagen and alginate, while achieving consistent batch-to-batch composition and eliminating immunogenicity through controlled synthetic polymerization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves homogeneous and consistent polymer composition across batches through controlled synthesis of polyether chains with defined molecular weights and structures, eliminating the batch-to-batch variation inherent in natural polymer extraction and processing while maintaining biocompatible properties
4Object-affected harmful factors
If PEG hydrogels are used for cell culture, then biocompatibility is improved, but biodegradability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PEG hydrogel structure by introducing hydrolytically labile ester linkage crosspoints between polyether chains, creating discrete degradable units within the overall network structure. This allows the bulk material to maintain PEG's biocompatible properties while the ester crosslinks provide controlled biodegradation pathways
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 solution provides a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer that degrades under physiological conditions, reducing inflammatory responses and batch-to-batch variations, while maintaining mechanical properties suitable for tissue engineering applications.
Implementation Method 1
The ester linkages are hydrolysable under physiological conditions and upon hydrolysis, allow degradation of the network polymer to occur
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to biodegradable polyether network polymers crosslinked via ester linkages, to substrates, implants and scaffolds comprising the biodegradable polyether network polymers, to methods for preparing such network polymers, implants and scaffolds, and to methods of using substrates, implants and scaffolds comprising the network polymers, particularly for culturing cells and regenerating tissue.