PVA Microspheres with Non-Ionic Contrast Agents for Embolization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current microspheres used for drug delivery and embolization therapy often have reduced drug loading capacity and swelling properties when loaded with contrast agents, which can interfere with their functionality in treating diseases like cancer and vascular malformations.

Innovation Solution

Development of microspheres comprising hydrophilic polymers like polyvinylalcohol (PVA) with non-ionic contrast agents, allowing for superior drug loading and swelling capabilities, enabling targeted drug delivery and embolization while maintaining visibility during administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If microspheres are loaded with contrast agents to enable visualization during embolization and drug delivery, then visibility and detection capability are improved, but drug loading capacity and swelling properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility during administrationVSAvoiddrug loading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from ionic to non-ionic contrast agents, which fundamentally alters the chemical interaction between the contrast agent and the hydrophilic polymer matrix. This parameter change in the contrast agent's ionic state resolves the contradiction by eliminating the competing interactions that previously reduced drug loading capacity and swelling properties, while still maintaining the essential function of visibility during embolization and drug delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining hydrophilic polymers (such as PVA) with non-ionic contrast agents to create a synergistic microsphere system. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve high drug loading capacity through the hydrophilic polymer's water-absorbing network, while the non-ionic contrast agent provides visualization capability without interfering with the polymer's swelling and drug-carrying properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If microspheres are loaded with contrast agents for visualization, then detection capability is improved, but swelling properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility during administrationVSAvoidswelling properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from ionic to non-ionic contrast agents, which fundamentally alters the chemical interaction between the contrast agent and the hydrophilic polymer matrix. This parameter change in the contrast agent's ionic state resolves the contradiction by eliminating the competing interactions that previously reduced drug loading capacity and swelling properties, while still maintaining the essential function of visibility during embolization and drug delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The non-ionic contrast agent acts as an intermediary substance that provides the necessary visualization function without directly interfering with the hydrophilic polymer's water absorption and swelling mechanisms. Unlike ionic contrast agents that compete for interaction sites, the non-ionic agent serves as a neutral mediator that enables detection while allowing the polymer network to maintain its full swelling capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 PVA-based microspheres with non-ionic contrast agents provide enhanced drug loading and swelling properties, facilitating effective drug delivery and embolization, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes for angiogenesis-dependent diseases and tumor-related pain.

Implementation Method 1

microspheres based on hydrophilic polymers, such as hydrophilic polymers comprising hydroxy and/or amine groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentEP3085362B1Compositions and methods using microspheres and non-ionic contrast agents
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 BIOSPHERE MEDICAL SA (FR)

AI summary

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating diseases and disorders including cancer and various other angiogenic-dependent diseases, vascular malfunctions, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), hemorrhagic processes and treatment of pain, in particular tumor-related pain by drug delivery and/or therapeutic embolization using microspheres. More particularly the invention relates to microspheres containing non-ionic contrast agents, to compositions comprising these microspheres, as well as methods for preparing and using such compositions for embolization therapy. The invention further relates to compositions and methods using detectable microspheres for targeted drug delivery, irrespective of whether embolization is also needed.