Reactive Multi-Arm Polymers with Branched Diagnostic End Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for further hydrogels, including therapeutic and/or diagnostic hydrogels, for biomedical applications, as existing bioerodible injectable hydrogels may not fully meet the requirements for specific medical uses.

Innovation Solution

The development of reactive multi-arm polymers with branched end groups, where a portion of the polymer arms comprise reactive end groups and another portion comprise branched end groups with covalently attached diagnostic and/or therapeutic groups, such as radiocontrast or radioactive moieties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing bioerodible injectable hydrogels are used, then basic hydrogel functionality is achieved, but enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic and therapeutic capabilitiesVSAvoidpolymer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-arm polymer is designed with multiple functional end groups on each arm, including reactive end groups for crosslinking, branched end groups with diagnostic groups (e.g., radiocontrast agents) for imaging, and therapeutic groups (e.g., radioactive moieties, drugs) for treatment. This multi-functional design allows a single polymer structure to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and structural functions simultaneously, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer incorporates composite structures by combining different functional groups (reactive groups, diagnostic groups, therapeutic groups) within a single multi-arm polymer architecture. This composite approach integrates multiple capabilities into one material system, allowing the hydrogel to perform multiple functions while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If polymer arms have uniform structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but functional versatility for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional diversity of polymer armsVSAvoidpolymer synthesis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the polymer arms are assigned different functional groups: reactive end groups at one end for crosslinking, and branched end groups with diagnostic and therapeutic groups at the other end. This local differentiation allows each part of the polymer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining an overall uniform multi-arm architecture that can be synthesized through standardized procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If hydrogel provides long-term stability for radiation therapy, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but bioerodibility and clearance from body are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogel stability durationVSAvoidhydrogel clearance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to maintain structural stability during the radiation therapy period, then progressively degrade and clear from the body afterward. The bioerodible polymer bonds and crosslinking structure provide temporary stability, then naturally degrade over time to enable clearance, creating a dynamic lifecycle that adapts to different phases of the medical treatment protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

These reactive multi-arm polymers can form crosslinked hydrogels suitable for various biomedical applications, providing enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, including visibility under imaging techniques and targeted radiation therapy.

Implementation Method 1

reactive end groups... form crosslinked hydrogels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

radiocontrast groups... visibility under imaging techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

radioactive groups... targeted radiation therapy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Data Source

PatentUS20250073356A1Reactive multi-arm polymers having branched end groups

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a polymer that comprises a plurality of polymer arms, wherein a first portion of the polymer arms comprise a reactive end group and wherein a second portion of the polymer arms comprise a branched end group that comprise a plurality of covalently attached diagnostic and/or therapeutic groups, which may be, for example, radiocontrast groups or radioactive groups. Other aspects pertain to a system that comprises (a) a first composition comprising such a polymer and (b) a second composition comprising a multifunctional compound that comprises reactive functional groups that are reactive with the reactive end group of the multi-arm polymer. Still other aspects pertain to a crosslinked reaction product of (a) such a polymer and (b) a multifunctional compound that comprises functional groups that are reactive with the reactive end group of the multi-arm polymer.