Segmented Polyurethane with Pendant Amide Units for Property Tailoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing biodegradable polyurethanes lack cost-effective ways to tailor and modify their properties such as thermal, mechanical, lubricity, antimicrobial, hydrophilicity, and anti-fouling properties, which are essential for various medical applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of segmented polyurethane polymers with pendant-functionalized amide units, where the nitrogen atom of the amide group is part of the polymer backbone, allowing for the incorporation of cationic or anionic pendant functional groups to modify properties, and a method involving reacting a stoichiometric excess of polyfunctional isocyanate with a polyol to yield a prepolymer, followed by chain extension with an N-substituted diol monomer having a pendant functional group attached through an amide bond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods are used to synthesize biodegradable polyurethanes, then basic polyurethane structure is achieved, but the ability to tailor and modify properties (thermal, mechanical, lubricity, antimicrobial, hydrophilicity, anti-fouling) is limited and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter by incorporating pendant-functionalized amide units with cationic or anionic groups into the polyurethane backbone. This structural modification enables systematic tuning of multiple properties (hydrophilicity, antimicrobial activity, mechanical strength) through selection of different pendant groups, providing cost-effective property tailoring without complex synthesis routes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polyurethane structures by combining conventional polyurethane segments with pendant-functionalized amide units. This composite approach integrates the biocompatibility and elastomeric properties of polyurethane with the functional properties of amide-containing groups, achieving multifunctional materials with tailored properties at reasonable manufacturing cost
2Reliability
If polyurethanes are used in biomedical applications, then biocompatibility is achieved, but molecular stability in aggressive body tissue environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameter by incorporating amide bonds and pendant functional groups into the polyurethane structure. The amide bonds provide enhanced hydrolytic stability compared to conventional polyurethane linkages, while the pendant groups maintain biocompatibility. This compositional change achieves both improved molecular stability in body fluids and retained biocompatibility for biomedical applications
3Duration of action of stationary object
If biodegradable polyurethanes are designed with labile moieties for controlled degradation, then biodegradability is achieved, but mechanical stability and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating labile moieties and pendant functional groups at specific locations within the polyurethane chain rather than throughout the entire structure. The pendant-functionalized amide units are positioned to provide controlled degradation sites while the overall polyurethane backbone maintains mechanical integrity. This localized modification enables tunable biodegradability without compromising overall mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining stable polyurethane segments with controlled-degradation amide units. This composite architecture allows the material to maintain mechanical strength through the stable polyurethane framework while providing controlled biodegradability through the labile amide linkages and pendant groups, achieving both mechanical stability and programmable biodegradability
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 resulting polymers exhibit controlled properties, including antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities, with improved hydrophilicity and mechanical stability, suitable for diverse medical applications like drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and implantable devices, while maintaining biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a stoichiometric excess of polyfunctional isocyanate with a polyol to yield a prepolymer
Implementation Method 2
chain extension with an N-substituted diol monomer having a pendant functional group attached through an amide bond
Data Source
AI summary
A functionalized polyurethane polymer is provided, the polymer defined by the formulawhere each R′ is independently derived from a diisocyanate, where each R″ represents the soft segment of the polymer, where n is the number of repeat units within the soft segment of the polymer, where m is the number of repeating mer units in the polymer, where each E is a pendant-functionalized amide unit chain extender, wherein the nitrogen atom of the amide group is part of the polymer backbone. A method for preparing the polymer is also provided.