Solvent-Free Elastomers for Injectable Soft Tissue Mimicry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injectable implants face challenges in mimicking the mechanical properties of biological tissues due to issues like leakage, migration, and toxicity from manufacturing residues, leading to safety concerns and invasive surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Development of solvent-free elastomers formed by crosslinking polymer formulations such as polysiloxane, polyolefin, and polyacrylate, which can be administered as a liquid and solidify in situ, mimicking the mechanical properties of soft tissues without leakage or migration, and are designed for safe and minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If polymeric gels are used as injectable implants to achieve softness of biological tissues, then softness is improved, but leakage of liquid fraction and toxic chemicals occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the implant material from a gel state with liquid fraction to a solvent-free elastomer state. This parameter change eliminates the liquid fraction that causes leakage while maintaining the desired softness through careful selection of elastomer composition and crosslinking density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by administering the elastomer in a liquid or semi-liquid state that can be injected, which then transitions to a solid elastomeric state in situ. This phase transition allows the material to be delivered minimally invasively while achieving the final solid implant form that prevents leakage.
2Temperature
If soft polymeric gels are used to achieve tissue-like softness, then softness is improved, but fragmentation and migration inside the body occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material design by creating an elastomer composed of crosslinked polymer networks without solvent. This composite structure provides both the softness required for tissue mimicry and the mechanical integrity needed to prevent fragmentation and migration, resolving the contradiction between softness and stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If silicone is used as injectable implant material to achieve widespread use, then ease of manufacture is improved, but leaching of toxic chemicals and heavy metals causes health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by completely removing the solvent or diluent component from the implant material formulation. This extraction of the harmful liquid fraction eliminates the source of toxic chemical leaching while maintaining the manufacturability of the elastomer through standard polymerization and crosslinking processes.
4Strength
If bulky implants are used to achieve structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but invasive surgery with large incision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the fluid properties of the elastomer precursor material to enable minimally invasive delivery. The material is administered in a liquid or semi-liquid state that can flow through small gauge needles, eliminating the need for large incisions. After delivery, the material transitions to a solid elastomeric state that provides the required mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transition to resolve the contradiction between deliverability and mechanical strength. The implant material is delivered in a low-viscosity liquid or semi-liquid phase that can be injected through small incisions, then transitions in situ to a solid elastomeric phase that provides the necessary mechanical strength and structural support.
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 solvent-free elastomers provide a safe and effective solution by maintaining tissue-like mechanical properties, reducing invasive procedures, and minimizing side effects, ensuring long-term safety and efficacy in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinking a first polymer formulation, a substantially solvent-free first polymer formulation, or a first solvent-free polymer formulation
Implementation Method 2
administered as a liquid and solidify in situ
Data Source
AI summary
Materials and methods related to elastomers are disclosed. The disclosed elastomers are useful in implants mimicking soft tissue. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.