Biodegradable Polyurethane Matrix for Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical implants face challenges in being innocuous, biointegrative, and degradable, struggling with adverse tissue responses, controlled pore sizes, and biodurability, especially during compression and expansion, which limits their effectiveness in tissue repair and regeneration.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible, cross-linked, biodegradable polyurethane matrix with a continuous-interconnected void phase, composed of segmented polyurethane with controlled hydrolytic degradation rates, designed to be resorbable and exhibit resilience for tissue ingrowth and remodeling, featuring a reticulated structure with high permeability for tissue integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If bioabsorbable polymeric materials are used for tissue engineering scaffolds, then the materials can be absorbed and metabolized by the body without causing significant adverse tissue responses, but the materials struggle with controlled pore sizes and biodurability during compression and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining bioabsorbable polymeric materials with specific pore-forming agents and cross-linking compounds. This composite approach allows the scaffold to maintain structural integrity and controlled pore sizes during compression and expansion while remaining biocompatible and gradually absorbable by the body, thus resolving the contradiction between low adverse tissue responses and sufficient biodurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the degradation rate of the polymeric material through adjustment of polymer composition, molecular weight, and cross-linking density. These parameter modifications enable the scaffold to maintain appropriate mechanical properties and pore structure during the tissue regeneration period while ensuring gradual absorption after tissue integration, thereby balancing biocompatibility with biodurability during dynamic compression and expansion.
2Productivity
If the polymeric material is made degradable to allow tissue ingrowth, then tissue augmentation and repair are enhanced, but the structural integrity during delivery and expansion may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the scaffold with a stable, non-degradable or slowly degradable outer shell or reinforcing structure before implantation. This preliminary structural support ensures the scaffold maintains its shape and structural integrity during delivery and initial expansion, while the inner degradable portion facilitates tissue ingrowth and eventual augmentation, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced tissue repair and maintained structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by designing a scaffold with time-dependent mechanical properties. The material transitions from a rigid, strength-providing state during delivery and early expansion to a gradually softening, tissue-integrating state over time. This dynamic behavior allows the scaffold to provide necessary structural support when needed while enabling tissue ingrowth and eventual replacement by native tissue, balancing structural integrity with tissue augmentation productivity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the material is designed to be fully resorbable for complete bio-integration, then long-term biocompatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases to control degradation rates and maintain structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the scaffold into distinct functional zones or layers with different degradation rates. The outer layer or structural framework may use slower-degrading polymers to maintain long-term shape and provide gradual support, while the inner porous regions use faster-degrading materials to facilitate rapid tissue ingrowth. This segmented approach achieves complete bio-integration over time while managing device complexity through modular material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different material compositions and degradation characteristics to specific regions of the scaffold based on local tissue regeneration requirements. Areas requiring rapid tissue ingrowth use faster-degrading materials, while areas requiring long-term structural support use slower-degrading materials. This localized material optimization achieves complete bio-integration where needed while maintaining structural integrity where required, managing overall device complexity through spatially differentiated design.
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 enables extended tissue augmentation and repair by allowing for controlled degradation and integration with surrounding tissue, reducing adverse reactions and enhancing healing processes while maintaining structural integrity during delivery and expansion.
Implementation Method 1
composed of segmented polyurethane with controlled hydrolytic degradation rates
Implementation Method 2
at least partially resorbable reticulated elastomeric matrix elements... that are compressible and exhibit resilience in their recovery
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to reticulated elastomeric matrices, and more particularly to at least partially degradable elastomeric elements that are compressible and exhibit resilience in their recovery and that can be employed in diverse applications including, without limitation, biological implantation, especially in humans.