Thioester Hydrogel Dissolvable Wound Dressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound dressings and sealants are not reversible or dissolvable, requiring mechanical debridement or surgical incision for removal, which can cause additional tissue damage and trauma.
Innovation Solution
Development of thioester hydrogels that are mechanically strong, adhesive, and can be controllably dissolved with a thiolate compound, allowing for gradual re-exposure of the wound surface for further examination or treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If permanent synthetic polymer materials are used for artificial skin and wound dressings, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but the ability to be removed without surgical intervention is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using thioester linkages instead of permanent covalent bonds to crosslink the hydrogel network. This chemical parameter change allows the material to maintain structural integrity during use while enabling reversible dissolution through thiolate treatment, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thiolate compounds as an intermediary agent that mediates the removal process. The thiolate selectively cleaves thioester bonds in the hydrogel, allowing controlled dissolution and easy removal without surgical intervention, while not affecting the mechanical strength during the wound healing phase.
2Reliability
If mechanical debridement or surgical incision is used to remove wound dressings, then complete removal is achieved, but additional tissue damage and trauma occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical removal system (surgical incision, debridement) with a chemical dissolution system. Thiolate compounds chemically cleave the thioester crosslinks in the hydrogel, causing gentle dissolution and elimination of the dressing without mechanical trauma to the underlying tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
Thiolate compounds serve as an intermediary that facilitates complete removal of the dressing through chemical dissolution rather than mechanical force, ensuring reliable removal while preventing tissue damage.
3Ease of operation
If dissolvable hydrogels with thioester linkages are used, then controlled dissolution and ease of removal are improved, but mechanical strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thioester linkage density and hydrogel composition to achieve a balance where the material maintains sufficient mechanical strength for wound coverage while retaining the capability for controlled dissolution when treated with thiolate compounds.
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
Enables minimally invasive and controlled removal of wound dressings, reducing tissue damage and promoting wound management with improved safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the dissolvable hydrogel with a thiolate compound, thereby dissolving the dissolvable hydrogel
Implementation Method 2
allowing the dissolvable hydrogel to adhere to tissue surrounding the wound
Data Source
AI summary
The inventions provided herein relate to dissolvable hydrogel compositions and methods of uses, e.g., but not limited to, in wound management. Accordingly, methods for wound management involving the dissolvable hydrogel compositions are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the dissolvable hydrogel composition comprises an adhesive thioester hydrogel, which can facilitate adherence of the dissolvable hydrogen composition to a surface (e.g., a wound) and can be controllably dissolved later upon addition of a thiolate compound to release the dissolvable hydrogel composition from the surface (e.g., the wound).