Thiol-yne Hydrogel Crosslinking via Photoinitiated Polymerization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing materials for tissue regeneration are costly and time-consuming due to the need for specialized apparatuses and procedures, necessitating the development of low-cost, versatile, and easily prepared materials with precise physical and biological properties.
Innovation Solution
A composition of polymers with thiol and alkyne moieties that are crosslinked, using monomers such as poly(lactic acid), polyethylene glycol, and peptides, which can be rapidly polymerized using photoinitiators and light exposure to form thiol-yne hydrogels, allowing for the incorporation of biological agents and cells, and can be used as scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current specialized methods are used to produce tissue regeneration materials, then precise physical and biological properties are achieved, but production cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the polymerization process by using thiol-ene click chemistry with photoinitiators, allowing the same hydrogel material to be produced with precise properties through controlled light exposure rather than complex specialized procedures, thereby reducing cost and time while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical and procedural systems with a photochemical system. Instead of using specialized apparatuses and lengthy procedures, the patent employs photoinitiated thiol-ene click chemistry where light exposure triggers rapid polymerization, substituting mechanical complexity with optical control to achieve both precision and efficiency
2Reliability
If specialized apparatuses and procedures are used for material production, then material quality is ensured, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs simple, readily available photoinitiators and monomers that can be mixed and polymerized in standard laboratory equipment. The photoinitiators are inexpensive and the process uses common light sources, replacing expensive specialized apparatuses with simple, disposable-like materials and procedures that maintain quality without complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The photoinitiator acts as an intermediary that simplifies the production process. Instead of complex specialized procedures, the photoinitiator mediates the polymerization reaction when exposed to light, enabling reliable material production through a simple intermediate step that reduces apparatus complexity while ensuring quality
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 solution enables the rapid and cost-effective production of crosslinked thiol-yne hydrogels that can be used for tissue regeneration, providing a versatile platform for cell growth and drug delivery, with the ability to incorporate biological agents and maintain structural integrity for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
rapidly polymerized using photoinitiators and light exposure to form thiol-yne hydrogels
Implementation Method 2
at least a first monomer comprises at least two thiol moieties and at least a second monomer comprises at least one alkyne moiety and wherein the first and second monomers are crosslinked at bonds between the thiol and alkyne moieties
Data Source
AI summary
A thiol-yne polymeric material and methods for producing said polymers are disclosed. The material is produced by the radically mediated polymerization of monomers having alkyne and thiol functional groups. The alkyne moiety, internal or terminal, may react with one or two thiols. Degradable monomers may be used to form degradable polymers.