Shear-Thinning Hydrogel for Endovascular Embolization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovascular embolization techniques face challenges with solid materials, such as metallic coils, which are difficult to use for large aneurysms due to lengthy and costly procedures, and liquid materials, which are hard to deploy controllably and can cause non-target embolization and catheter entrapment.
Innovation Solution
Development of shear-thinning hydrogels composed of alginate conjugated to an acrylate monomer (ALG-A), carboxymethylcellulose conjugated to an acrylate monomer (CMC-A), and a source of calcium ions, optionally with a polythiol agent and thiol-ene crosslinking catalyst, that undergo covalent crosslinking in situ to form a mechanically stable and biocompatible embolic agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If liquid embolic materials are used, then quick thrombosis induction and capability to occlude large vessels are achieved, but controlled deployment is difficult and non-target embolization may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel composition undergoes a parameter change from liquid to gel state through in-situ crosslinking. The material is injected as a liquid that can flow through catheters, then transforms into a gel that remains in place, providing both easy delivery and controlled deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic material utilizes a phase transition from liquid to gel state. This phase change occurs after injection when crosslinking agents are introduced, allowing the material to transition from a flowable state during delivery to a stationary gel state for embolization, thereby achieving both quick thrombosis and controlled deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If liquid embolic materials are used, then capability to occlude large vessels is achieved, but catheter entrapment and non-target embolization may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The material is prepared in a liquid state before injection, allowing it to flow easily through the catheter to the target location. The crosslinking process is initiated after the material reaches the desired position, ensuring that the embolization occurs precisely where intended rather than during delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Crosslinking agents serve as intermediaries that trigger the transformation of the embolic material. These agents are introduced after the liquid material reaches the target vessel, mediating the phase transition from liquid to gel at the precise location needed for embolization, thereby preventing premature gelation and catheter entrapment.
3Manufacturing precision
If solid embolic materials are used, then precise occlusion of small aneurysms is achieved, but complete thrombosis and radiopacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic material is a composite hydrogel system combining multiple components: base polymer, crosslinking agents, and radiopaque particles. This composite structure provides both the precision of solid materials and the thrombosis-inducing capabilities of liquid materials, while the radiopaque particles enable imaging visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The material undergoes parameter changes from liquid to gel state, allowing it to adapt its properties to the application needs. This transformation enables the material to achieve precise occlusion similar to solids while maintaining the ability to induce complete thrombosis like liquids, resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
4Ease of operation
If metallic coils are used, then controlled deployment into target vessel is achieved, but lengthy procedures and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel is delivered through catheter-based hydraulic injection, eliminating the need for manual coil placement. This fluid delivery system allows for rapid injection of the embolic material directly into the target vessel, significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining deployment control through the catheter guidance system.
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 compositions provide safe, consistent, and controlled endovascular embolization, achieving complete thrombosis and sustained occlusion without diffusing out of the vessel, suitable for treating internal bleeding, aneurysms, and vascular malformations with improved radiopacity and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
the compositions undergo covalent crosslinking in situ to provide mechanically stable embolisms
Implementation Method 2
The latter composition, over time, yields a crosslinked hydrogel that is biocompatible and mechanically stable
Implementation Method 3
The compositions are capable of both non-covalent and covalent crosslinking over medically relevant time periods. Thus, they provide injectable hydrogels that stay put once placed
Implementation Method 4
a mixture of a source of calcium ions, alginate conjugated to an acrylate monomer (ALG-A), carboxymethylcellulose conjugated to an acrylate monomer (CMC-A) and water
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology provides a composition comprising a mixture of a source of calcium ions, alginate conjugated to an acrylate monomer (ALG-A), carboxymethylcellulose conjugated to an acrylate monomer (CMC-A) and water, wherein the mixture is a shear-thinning gel. The compositions may further include a polythiol agent. Such compositions are injectable due to their shear-thinning properties, yet stay in place, undergo in situ crosslinking, and provide safe, simple and efficacious endovascular embolization. Methods of making and using such compositions are also provided.