Thixotropic Oxidized Cellulose Dissolution and Tissue Scaffolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellulose dissolution processes are cumbersome, expensive, and often require harsh conditions, leading to degradation and limited solubility in common solvents, which hinders the full exploitation of cellulose potential in medical and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of shear force to a thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution, combined with a polar aprotic solvent and a salt, to minimize degradation and achieve efficient dissolution, allowing for the formation of reduced viscosity solutions that increase in viscosity at the target tissue site, enabling effective delivery and bioactive agent incorporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cellulose dissolution processes are used, then cellulose can be dissolved, but the process becomes cumbersome and expensive requiring harsh conditions that lead to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using oxidized cellulose with specific degree of oxidation (0.3-1.0) and selecting specific solvents (lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, N,N-dimethylacetamide) to dissolve cellulose under milder conditions, reducing degradation while maintaining dissolution efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite dissolution system combining oxidized cellulose with specific solvent combinations (lithium hydroxide/N,N-dimethylacetamide or lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide) to achieve effective dissolution without harsh conditions
2Productivity
If high thermal treatment and excessive physical manipulation are applied to dissolve cellulose, then dissolution is achieved, but cellulose degradation and removal of oxidized groups occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces thermal treatment temperature and minimizes physical manipulation by using chemically modified cellulose (oxidized) that dissolves more readily in specific solvent systems, maintaining oxidized groups while achieving dissolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary oxidation of cellulose to create oxidized cellulose with enhanced solubility, so that subsequent dissolution requires milder conditions that preserve the oxidized groups
3Ease of manufacture
If common solvents are used for cellulose dissolution, then the process is simpler, but cellulose solubility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies cellulose through oxidation to change its chemical properties, enabling it to dissolve in common solvent systems (lithium hydroxide/N,N-dimethylacetamide) that are simpler to handle while achieving high solubility
4Ease of operation
If thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution is delivered to target tissue site, then effective delivery and tissue scaffolding is achieved, but viscosity must increase at the target site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thixotropic properties where the solution viscosity dynamically changes based on shear rate: low viscosity during injection (high shear) for easy delivery, then increases at the target site (low shear) to provide stable tissue scaffolding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase-like transition of the thixotropic solution from a flowable state during injection to a gel-like state at the target site, enabling both easy delivery and stable retention
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
This approach minimizes cellulose degradation, facilitates efficient dissolution at lower temperatures, and allows for the formation of thixotropic solutions that can be effectively delivered to target sites, enhancing their utility in medical procedures such as embolization and tissue scaffolding.
Implementation Method 1
applying a shear force to a thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution to form a reduced viscosity thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution
Implementation Method 2
applying a shear force to a thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution to form a reduced viscosity thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treatment includes agitating a thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution; administering the agitated thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution to a target tissue site; and allowing the agitated thixotropic oxidized cellulose solution to gel at the target tissue site.