Side-chain Crystallizable Polymers with Heavy Atoms for Radiopaque Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymeric materials used in medical applications, such as embolization, lack radiopacity and controlled melting points, making them difficult to detect and deliver effectively in medical imaging and procedures.
Innovation Solution
Development of side-chain crystallizable polymers with heavy atoms, such as bromine and iodine, which are radiopaque and have controlled melting points, allowing for improved detection and delivery in medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymeric materials are used for medical embolization, then the materials are biocompatible and can be delivered, but they lack radiopacity making them difficult to detect during medical imaging procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates heavy atoms (iodine, barium, or tantalum) into the polymer structure to create composite materials that maintain biocompatibility while achieving radiopacity. This allows the material to be detected during medical imaging procedures without compromising its biological compatibility or delivery characteristics
2Ease of operation
If polymeric materials without controlled melting points are used, then the materials are simple to manufacture, but they cannot be effectively delivered and solidified at specific temperatures in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer structure to achieve specific melting points (e.g., 37°C to 45°C) by controlling molecular weight, composition, and side-chain crystallinity. This allows the material to transition from solid to liquid at body temperature for easy delivery, then solidify to provide embolization, enabling precise temperature-controlled delivery without complex manufacturing processes
3Reliability
If side-chain crystallizable polymers with heavy atoms are synthesized, then the polymers achieve both radiopacity and controlled melting points, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent synthesizes polymers with distinct functional segments: side-chains containing heavy atoms for radiopacity and backbone structures designed for controlled melting points. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function while maintaining overall biocompatibility and deliverability, achieving multiple performance goals through modular molecular 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 polymers are inherently radiopaque, enabling better visualization during medical procedures and having a controlled melting point for effective delivery and solidification in the body, enhancing the precision and efficacy of medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The heavy atoms may be present in an amount that is effective to render the polymer radiopaque
Implementation Method 2
the polymer can be melted so that they are flowable slightly above body temperature but solidify when cooled to body temperature
Implementation Method 3
side-chain crystallizable polymers
Data Source
AI summary
Side-chain crystallizable (SCC) polymers are useful in various medical applications. In certain applications, heavy atom containing side-chain crystallizable polymers (HACSCCP's) are particularly useful. An example of a HACSCCP is a polymer that comprises a main chain, a plurality of crystallizable side chains, and a plurality of heavy atoms attached to the polymer. In certain configurations, the heavy atoms are present in an amount that is effective to render the polymer radiopaque. A polymeric material that includes an HACSCCP may be fabricated into a medical device useful for at least partially occluding a body cavity. For example, such a medical device may be an embolotherapy product. A polymeric material that includes a SCC polymer may also be fabricated into other medical devices, such as stents.