Radiopaque Multi-Arm Hydrogels via Core Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for forming radiopaque hydrogels, such as SpaceOAR Vue®, are complex and costly, involving multiple steps and sacrificing reactive groups, which reduces crosslink density and increases product costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers with an iodine-containing core region and polymer arms, which undergo ring-opening polymerization to form crosslinked hydrogels without the need for iodine functionalization on the polymer arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If TIB functional groups are incorporated on polymer arms to provide radiopacity, then radiopacity is improved, but crosslink density decreases because one succinimidyl glutarate binding site is sacrificed per TIB-functionalized arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radiopacity function from the crosslinking function by placing iodine-containing groups in the core region rather than on the polymer arms. This segmentation allows the arms to maintain full crosslinking capability while the core provides radiopacity, resolving the contradiction between radiopacity and crosslink density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the radiopaque iodine groups from the one-dimensional polymer arm structure to the central core region, effectively changing the spatial dimension where radiopacity is achieved. This allows radiopacity to be maintained without compromising the crosslinking functionality on the arms.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple functionalization steps are used to attach TIB groups on 8-arm PEG, then radiopacity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates iodine-containing groups into the core region during the initial polymer synthesis step, rather than requiring subsequent functionalization steps. This preliminary action integrates radiopacity into the base polymer structure, eliminating multiple complex synthesis steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radiopacity function with the core polymer structure by incorporating iodine-containing groups during core synthesis. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps required compared to post-synthesis functionalization approaches.
3Ease of manufacture
If TIB functionalization is performed on polymer arms, then radiopacity is provided, but production cost increases due to multiple synthesis steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates iodine-containing groups into the core region during the initial polymer synthesis step, avoiding the need for expensive post-synthesis functionalization steps. This preliminary incorporation reduces material waste and processing costs associated with multiple synthesis steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the radiopacity function from the expensive polymer arm structure and places it in the core region, which is synthesized in larger quantities anyway. This extraction reduces the overall manufacturing cost by avoiding repeated functionalization steps on the more expensive arm structures.
4Ease of manufacture
If 2,3,5-triiiodobenzamide groups are added to polymer arms, then radiopacity is enhanced, but hydrogel persistence decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radiopaque groups into the core region, separating them from the polymer arms that form the hydrogel network. This segmentation protects the hydrogel's structural integrity and persistence while maintaining radiopacity through the core-containing iodine groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates iodine-containing radiopaque groups from the polymer arm dimension to the core region dimension. This spatial repositioning maintains radiopacity while preserving the hydrogel network structure formed by the arms, thereby improving hydrogel persistence.
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
This approach simplifies the synthesis process, maintains crosslink density, and provides tunable radiocontrast while reducing production costs and improving hydrogel persistence.
Implementation Method 1
radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers with an iodine-containing core region and polymer arms, which undergo ring-opening polymerization to form crosslinked hydrogels
Implementation Method 2
radiopaque hydrogels with enhanced radiopacity... the iodine-containing core region... provides tunable radiocontrast
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers that comprise an iodine-containing core region, a plurality of polymer arms comprising a plurality of polymer segments linked to the iodine-containing core region, and a plurality of reactive moieties linked to the plurality of polymer segments. Also disclosed are methods of forming such radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers, systems for forming hydrogel compositions that comprise (a) such radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers and (b) multifunctional crosslinking compounds comprising a plurality of complementary reactive moieties that are reactive with the reactive moieties of the radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymers, as well as reaction products of such systems and methods of treatment using such systems.