Sclerosing Hydrogel for Vascular Embolization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolizing agents for treating vascular defects, such as endoleaks and arteriovenous malformations, face challenges with recurrence due to recanalization, poor mechanical properties, non-biodegradability, and diagnostic difficulties, limiting their effectiveness in controlling blood flow and promoting tissue healing.
Innovation Solution
A sclerosing embolizing hydrogel composed of chitosan, β-glycerophosphate disodium salt, and sodium tetradecyl sulphate, with optional radiopaque agents, providing controlled injection, improved mechanical properties, and biodegradability, which can be used to treat vascular defects by blocking blood flow and promoting fibrosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolizing agents (NBCA, Onyx, polyurethane) are injected to block blood flow, then blood flow is blocked, but recanalization occurs leading to recurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines embolizing agents with sclerosing agents to create a composite material that simultaneously blocks blood flow and prevents recanalization through endothelial denudation, thereby improving the durability of embolization and preventing recurrence
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the embolizing agent by incorporating sclerosing components that induce endothelial damage and fibrosis, transforming the material from purely mechanical occlusion to a combined chemical-biological occlusion system that prevents recanalization
2Reliability
If cyanoacrylate is used as embolizing agent, then embolization is achieved, but it is non-biodegradable and prevents tissue healing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the biodegradability parameter by replacing non-biodegradable cyanoacrylate with biodegradable alternatives such as polyurethane fragments, fibrin glue, or gelatin-based materials that maintain occlusion effectiveness while allowing tissue healing and metabolic byproduct elimination
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs biodegradable materials that are gradually broken down and eliminated by the body's metabolic processes, allowing the embolization site to be recovered and replaced by natural tissue over time, thus improving long-term biocompatibility
3Reliability
If embolizing agents are used, then blood flow is blocked, but mechanical properties are poor and control during injection is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the rheological parameters of the embolizing agent by adjusting viscosity, gelation time, and flow characteristics to enable controlled injection through catheters while maintaining effective embolization, using materials like fibrin glue that can be precisely delivered and then rapidly set
4Measurement precision
If radiopaque agents are added to embolizing material, then imaging visibility is improved, but diagnostic challenge increases due to excessive radiopacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the radiopacity parameter by using radiopaque materials with moderate contrast that provide sufficient visibility for procedural guidance and long-term surveillance without creating excessive artifact or diagnostic interference, allowing clear differentiation from surrounding tissues
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 hydrogel effectively prevents recanalization, promotes healing, and provides controlled embolization with enhanced mechanical properties, reducing the risk of migration and improving long-term biocompatibility, thus addressing the limitations of existing agents.
Implementation Method 1
a sclerosing embolizing hydrogel comprising: from about 0.1% by weight to about 4.0% by weight of chitosan; from about 0.01M to about 1M of an acid; from 0.5% by weight to about 25% by weight of β-glycerophosphate disodium salt
Implementation Method 2
from about 0.05% by weight to about 4% by weight of sodium tetradecyl sulphate
Data Source
AI summary
A sclerosing embolizing hydrogel comprising from about 0.1% by weight to about 4.0% by weight of chitosan; from about 0.01M to about 1M of hydrochloric acid; from 0% by volume to about 40% by volume of iopamidol; from 0.5% by weight to about 25% by weight of β-glycerophosphate disodium salt; and from about 0.05% by weight to about 4% by weight of sodium tetradecyl sulphate. Also a kit for synthesizing the hydrogel and a method using the hydrogel to treat a vascular defect in a subject.