High-Volume Swelling Hydrogel for Appetite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogels used as appetite suppressants have limited swelling volume and duration of action, leading to early exit from the stomach and requiring frequent ingestion, which is inconvenient and not effective for extended periods, and they lack mechanical robustness to withstand stomach forces.
Innovation Solution
Development of high-volume swelling hydrogels with a fast swelling rate and mechanical robustness, comprising a network structure with partially collapsed pores and a combination of superporous and slow-swelling hydrogels, designed to be retained in the stomach for extended periods without the need for medical supervision, allowing for customizable dosing and termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If low-density cross-linked SAPs are used, then absorbent capacity and swelling volume are improved, but gel strength and mechanical robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines low-density cross-linked SAP granules (providing high swelling volume) with a separate gel strength-enhancing polymer matrix (providing mechanical robustness). This merging of two different polymer systems allows the composite hydrogel to simultaneously achieve both high swelling capacity and adequate gel strength, resolving the contradiction between volume expansion and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite hydrogel material consisting of SAP granules embedded within a gel strength-enhancing polymer network. This composite structure leverages the high absorbency of SAPs while the surrounding polymer matrix provides the necessary mechanical strength, effectively combining the advantages of both material types to overcome their individual limitations.
2Strength
If high cross-link density polymers are used, then gel strength is improved, but absorbent capacity and swelling volume deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges high cross-link density polymer networks (providing gel strength) with low-density cross-linked SAP granules (providing swelling volume). The gel strength-enhancing polymer forms a structural framework that maintains mechanical integrity, while the embedded SAP granules retain their high absorbency capabilities, thus achieving both strength and volume expansion simultaneously.
3Speed
If superporous hydrogels with large interconnected pores are used, then swelling rate is improved, but mechanical robustness and ability to withstand stomach forces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different pore structures within the composite hydrogel. The gel strength-enhancing polymer matrix provides a denser, more mechanically robust local structure that can withstand stomach forces, while the SAP granule regions maintain larger pores for rapid water absorption. This spatial differentiation of structural properties allows simultaneous achievement of fast swelling and mechanical durability.
4Duration of action of moving object
If hydrogels are designed for high swelling volume, then duration of action in stomach is improved, but mechanical robustness to withstand stomach forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials where the gel strength-enhancing polymer matrix provides the mechanical robustness needed to withstand stomach peristalsis and forces, while the embedded SAP granules provide the high swelling volume that extends retention time. The synergistic interaction between these two material components allows the hydrogel to simultaneously achieve prolonged gastric residence and resistance to mechanical degradation.
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 high-volume swelling hydrogels effectively expand to maintain satiety for several days, are mechanically robust to withstand stomach forces, and can be terminated or degraded as needed, providing a convenient and effective appetite suppressant without surgical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogels are terms applied to polymers which have the ability to absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules
Implementation Method 2
SPHs typically have a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymer with numerous pores with an average size larger than 100 μm up to around 1 or 2 mm and it is these pores, which are connected together to form open channel structures, which by capillary action, absorb water very rapidly
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to novel a high-volume swelling hydrogel which comprises a plurality of pores which are defined by an interpenetrating network, and/or a semi-interpenetrating network and/or simple cross-linked arrangement of a plurality of one or more species of hydrophilic polymers, optionally together with one or more biocompatible polymers and optionally together with one or more plasticising agents, characterised in that at least some of the pores are at least partially collapsed and/or flattened, and further characterised in that the interpenetrating network and/or semi-interpenetrating network and/or cross-linked arrangement which defines the collapsed and/or flattened pores is substantially unbroken. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such hydrogels, and to their use as an appetite suppressant.