Silver Polyelectrolyte Multilayers for Chronic Wound Bed Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound healing technologies fail to effectively promote healing in complex and challenging wounds due to their inability to alter the intrinsic chemistry and structure of the wound bed, leading to asynchronous healing processes and chronic ulcers, particularly in diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and wounds with systemic diseases.

Innovation Solution

The use of compositions that alter the physical attributes and chemical composition of the wound bed by incorporating polyelectrolyte layers, nanoparticles, and microparticles to deliver antimicrobial compounds, extracellular matrices, and cytoactive agents, along with covalent modification agents to enhance wound healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wound dressings are used, then basic wound coverage is provided, but they fail to alter the intrinsic chemistry and structure of the wound bed, leading to chronic ulcers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining polyelectrolyte multilayers with silver nanoparticles and various wound healing agents (growth factors, antibiotics, cytoactive agents). This composite structure allows the dressing to simultaneously modify wound bed chemistry, provide antimicrobial protection, and deliver therapeutic agents, thereby resolving the contradiction between healing effectiveness and complexity by integrating multiple functions into a unified composite system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the wound bed through polyelectrolyte multilayer deposition. The multilayers alter surface charge, hydrophilicity, porosity, and mechanical properties of the wound bed, creating an optimized environment for healing. This resolves the contradiction by systematically changing wound bed parameters to promote healing while maintaining a manageable composition structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If simple wound dressings are used, then ease of application is maintained, but they cannot deliver multiple therapeutic agents or modify wound bed properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic function rangeVSAvoidcomposition structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing a polyelectrolyte multilayer-based dressing that can simultaneously perform multiple functions: modifying wound bed chemistry, providing antimicrobial protection via silver nanoparticles, delivering growth factors for tissue regeneration, releasing antibiotics for infection control, and providing cytoactive agents for cell activation. This multi-functional platform resolves the contradiction between therapeutic versatility and composition complexity by integrating diverse functions into a single adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the therapeutic functions into distinct modular components within the polyelectrolyte multilayer structure. Different layers can contain different agents (e.g., silver nanoparticles in one layer, growth factors in another, antibiotics in a third), allowing selective incorporation and controlled release of various therapeutic agents. This modular segmentation enables versatile therapeutic functionality while maintaining a structured and manageable composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If polyelectrolyte multilayers with multiple agents are incorporated, then wound healing is enhanced through differential modulation of cellular elements, but the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealing promotion capabilityVSAvoidcomposition structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using polyelectrolyte multilayers to pre-modify the wound bed surface before delivering therapeutic agents. The multilayers are deposited first to create a functionalized surface with specific charge, hydrophilicity, and porosity properties that prepare the wound bed for subsequent agent delivery and cellular interaction. This preliminary modification enhances the effectiveness of subsequently delivered agents while organizing the composition structure into a logical sequence of actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 compositions enable differential modulation of key cellular elements, promoting optimal healing conditions adaptable to various wound types and patient populations by modifying the wound bed's surface chemistry and structure, thereby enhancing wound healing.

Implementation Method 1

oppositely charged polyelectrolytes to form a polyelectrolyte layer on a wound surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interactions: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

covalent modification agents to enhance wound healing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

incorporating polyelectrolyte layers, nanoparticles, and microparticles to deliver antimicrobial compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon release: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 4

silver for wound healing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReactive oxygen species: Oxidation

Implementation Method 5

deliver antimicrobial compounds, extracellular matrices, and cytoactive agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiochemical signaling: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3574909B1Polyelectrolyte multilayer comprising silver for wound healing
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 IMBED BIOSCIENCES INC
  • EP3574909B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3574909B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3574909B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for wound healing. In particular, the present invention relates to promoting and enhancing wound healing by utilizing cross-linker covalent modification molecules to attach and deliver wound active agents to a wound. In addition, the present invention provides methods and compositions utilizing oppositely charged polymers to form a polyelectrolyte layer on a wound surface. The invention further relates to incorporating wound active agents into a polyelectrolyte layer for delivery to a wound.