Swellable Deformable Microspheres for Tissue Bulking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for medical treatments that utilize microspheres with high swelling and deformability for effective tissue bulking, void filling, occlusion formation, fluid absorption, and medication delivery, as existing hydrogel microspheres do not consistently meet these requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing microspheres using a specific process involving a solution of water, water-miscible monomers, a crosslinking agent, and an emulsifier, followed by agitation and temperature control to form gelatinous precipitates, which are then washed and dried to produce microspheres with high swell capacity and deformability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If standard hydrogel microsphere preparation methods are used, then microspheres can be produced, but they lack consistent size and shape with sufficient swelling capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency in size and shapeVSAvoidswelling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the preparation parameters by controlling pH (maintaining between 3-7), temperature (0-25°C), and monomer ratios to achieve consistent microsphere production with enhanced swelling capacity. The crosslinking agent concentration is optimized at 0.1-10% w/v to balance structural integrity and swelling ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite microspheres by combining hydrogel polymers with inorganic materials or other polymers to achieve both manufacturing consistency and high swelling capacity. This composite structure allows the microspheres to maintain shape uniformity while gaining enhanced adaptability for different medical applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If hydrogel microspheres are made with high absorption capacity, then they can absorb fluids effectively, but they lack deformability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoiddeformability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible hydrogel polymer matrices that form thin, adaptable structures allowing the microspheres to deform under mechanical stress while maintaining their fluid absorption capacity. The crosslinked network structure provides flexibility rather than rigidity, enabling shape change without compromising absorption functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of stationary object

If existing microspheres are used for tissue bulking, then some filling function is provided, but the effect is insufficient for severe tissue degeneration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue filling volumeVSAvoideffectiveness in severe cases

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates dynamic microspheres that can change volume in response to their environment. These microspheres initially occupy a compact form for easy injection, then expand dynamically at the injection site to provide substantial tissue filling volume, ensuring reliability even in cases of severe tissue degeneration where large volume replacement is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 resulting microspheres exhibit high consistency in size and shape, high density, rapid swelling, and deformability, making them suitable for a range of medical applications including tissue bulking, void filling, occlusion formation, fluid absorption, and medication delivery.

Implementation Method 1

Hydrogel microspheres have been used in some of these medical applications... microspheres that can be introduced into the body of a mammal for purposes such as tissue bulking, filling voids, forming occlusions, absorbing fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Characteristics of the medical treatment are generally related to the properties of the specific type of hydrogel microspheres used in the treatment... high swelling and deformability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS8252339B2Medical treatment applications of swellable and deformable microspheres

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO

AI summary

A method for medical treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres may be administered for void filling, tissue bulking, non-vasculature occlusion, body fluid absorption, and delivery of medications.