Polyurethane Resin With Ionic Modifiers For Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices such as catheters and infusion therapy equipment face challenges with antimicrobial and antithrombogenic properties, as existing methods for impregnating antimicrobial agents do not create stable chemical bonds with polymer substrates, leading to short-lived efficacy and regulatory concerns, and surface coating techniques complicate manufacturing and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A polyurethane-based resin is developed, incorporating a combination of anionic and cationic modifiers or a zwitterionic modifier into its backbone, allowing for inherent antimicrobial and anti-fouling characteristics or the easy bonding of antimicrobial/antithrombogenic agents, eliminating the need for separate surface coatings and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catheters are impregnated with antimicrobial agents, then antimicrobial properties are provided, but the efficacy is short-lived and regulatory concerns arise due to lack of chemical bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating reactive functional groups (epoxide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) into the polyurethane polymer structure during manufacturing. These pre-installed functional groups are ready to form chemical bonds with antimicrobial agents, ensuring stable and long-lasting efficacy without the need for subsequent bonding steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses functional groups as intermediaries between the polymer substrate and antimicrobial agents. These functional groups act as chemical mediators that facilitate stable covalent bonding, bridging the polymer and active agent to create a durable bonded structure that resists leaching and maintains efficacy.
2Reliability
If surface coating techniques are used to bond antimicrobial agents, then non-leaching properties are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polymer substrate and antimicrobial agent into a single integrated structure through direct chemical bonding. By incorporating functional groups into the polyurethane backbone, the patent combines the base material and active agent application into one manufacturing step, eliminating separate coating processes and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where the polyurethane polymer with integrated functional groups forms a unified structure with the antimicrobial agent. This composite approach combines the mechanical properties of the polymer with the biological activity of the agent through covalent bonding, achieving non-leaching properties without complex multi-step coating processes.
3Reliability
If multiple surface coating steps are implemented, then antimicrobial and antithrombogenic properties are achieved, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the polyurethane polymer with multi-functional groups that can bond with different types of active agents (antimicrobial, antithrombogenic, radiopaque). This single polymer structure with multiple functional capabilities replaces the need for multiple separate coating steps, each designed for different properties, thereby reducing manufacturing time and complexity.
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 resin provides long-lasting antimicrobial and anti-fouling properties, reduces thrombus formation, and simplifies the manufacturing process by integrating antimicrobial and antithrombogenic agents directly into the polymer substrate, minimizing regulatory concerns and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a polyurethane-based resin which is a reaction product of ingredients comprising: a diisocyanate; a diol chain extender; a polyglycol; and an ionic modifier (a combination of anionic and cationic modifiers or a zwitterionic modifier) incorporated into a backbone, as a side chain, or both of the polyurethane-based resin
Data Source
AI summary
Medical articles formed from a polyurethane-based resin including an ionically-charged modifier provide enhanced properties. The polyurethane-based resin is a reaction product of ingredients comprising: a diisocyanate; a diol chain extender; a polyglycol; and an ionically-charged modifier incorporated into a backbone, as a side chain, or both of the polyurethane-based resin. Embodiments include the ionically-charged modifier is a combination of anionic and cationic modifiers. Embodiments include the ionically-charged modifier is zwitterionic. Medical articles herein either have inherent antimicrobial and/or anti-fouling characteristics or can easily bond ionic active agents to provide desirable material properties, including antimicrobial, anti-fouling, and/or radiopacity.