Supramolecular Biomedical Polymers for Strong Durable Implants

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current biodegradable materials for biomedical implants suffer from poor mechanical strength, elasticity, durability, and controlled biodegradability, leading to issues such as premature degradation, immunological responses, and inadequate fatigue resistance, making them unsuitable for various medical applications.

Innovation Solution

A process for producing supramolecular biomedical polymers by combining specific 4H-units with a non-bioresorbable polymer backbone, using a compound F′, a diisocyanate compound C′, a functionalized polymer A′, and a compound B′, resulting in materials with high tensile strength, elasticity, and durability, suitable for biomedical applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high molecular weight polymers are used to achieve desired mechanical properties, then strength and durability are improved, but processing becomes difficult and thermal degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidprocessing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the molecular weight parameter from high (>100 kDa) to low (1-100 kDa) while compensating for strength through supramolecular assembly of multiple low molecular weight units, enabling easier processing and reduced thermal degradation risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where multiple low molecular weight polymer units assemble through supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking) to form higher-order structures with enhanced mechanical properties, combining the benefits of low molecular weight processing with high strength performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If crystalline domains are present in biodegradable materials, then initial strength is improved, but biodegradation becomes slow and immunological responses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial strengthVSAvoidbiodegradation control

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the structural parameter from crystalline to amorphous configuration, enabling controlled biodegradation while maintaining mechanical strength through supramolecular assembly rather than crystalline domain formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical strength mechanism (crystalline domains) with a supramolecular assembly mechanism (non-covalent interactions), achieving strength without the detrimental effects of crystallinity on biodegradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If polyester materials are used for biodegradability, then biodegradation is achieved, but premature failure occurs due to fast hydrolysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodegradation timeVSAvoidimplant durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter by excluding ester linkages from the polymer backbone, using alternative chemistries (carbonates, ethers, amides, siloxanes) that resist premature hydrolysis while maintaining controlled biodegradation through supramolecular assembly disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of non-biodegradable polymers into a benefit by using their stability against premature degradation, while achieving controlled biodegradation through disruption of supramolecular assemblies in the physiological environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 supramolecular biomedical polymers exhibit an ultimate tensile strength of at least 35 MPa, high elasticity, and durability, with controlled biodegradability, making them suitable for use in biomedical implants and scaffolds, including those requiring structural support and tissue regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

comprising moieties that are capable of forming at least four H-bridges in a row, preferably with another moiety capable of forming at least four H-bridges in a row, leading to physical interactions between different polymer chains. The physical interactions originate from multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, also called supramolecular interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical properties of current biodegradable materials are strongly related to their high molecular weights that are in general over 100 kDa, the presence of chemical cross-links, and the presence of crystalline 'hard' domains in these polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical cross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12570804B2Supramolecular biomedical polymers

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SUPRAPOLIX

AI summary

The present invention relates to supramolecular biomedical polymers comprising quadruple hydrogen bonding units and to a process for preparing such a supramolecular biomedical polymer and porous biomedical implants thereof. The supramolecular biomedical polymers are particularly suitable for the production of porous biomedical implants that need high strength, elasticity, durability, and slow biodegradation, e.g. medical implants for living tissue regeneration within a mammal, such as the treatment of cardio-vascular diseases, medical prolapses, and hernias.