Biodegradable Tissue Adhesive Patch with Tuned Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue adhesive patches remain intact for too long, exceeding the necessary duration for wound healing, leading to potential tissue irritation and material inefficiency, as they do not degrade rapidly enough to minimize these issues.
Innovation Solution
A fibrinogen-based tissue adhesive patch comprising a biocompatible polyethylene glycol-caprolactone-lactide (PEG-CL-LA) triblock copolymer backing with a fibrinogen sealant, where the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic components determines the patch's degradation time, ensuring the patch degrades within a predetermined timeframe without a mesh or woven component, and the fibrinogen sealant is incorporated into the surface for attachment rather than sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If existing tissue adhesive patches are used to seal wounds, then sealing ability is maintained, but the patches remain intact for too long causing tissue irritation and material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the polymer matrix by incorporating specific biodegradable polymers (polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, caprolactone) with controlled ratios and molecular weights. By adjusting the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance and crosslinking density, the degradation rate is precisely tuned to match wound healing timeframes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealing ability and preventing tissue irritation from prolonged presence
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining multiple biodegradable polymers (PLA, PGA, caprolactone) with complementary degradation rates and mechanical properties. This composite approach allows the patch to maintain structural integrity for initial sealing while simultaneously providing controlled degradation pathways, ensuring the patch disappears after serving its protective function without causing irritation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If existing tissue adhesive patches are used, then wound sealing is achieved, but material waste occurs due to excessive durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter optimization by controlling the molecular weight, crystallinity, and composition ratios of biodegradable polymers to achieve degradation times that precisely match the wound healing process. This prevents material waste by ensuring the patch degrades completely after serving its sealing function, eliminating the issue of excessive durability causing material loss
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the patch degrades rapidly to minimize tissue irritation, then tissue irritation is reduced, but sealing ability and adhesive strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating fibrinogen sealant and thrombin into the patch structure before application. These components are pre-positioned to activate upon contact with blood, providing immediate adhesive strength and sealing capability. This allows the base polymer matrix to degrade more rapidly without compromising initial sealing, as the fibrin-based adhesive provides the necessary strength during the critical early healing phase
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where rapidly degrading polymer components are combined with fibrinogen-thrombin-based adhesive systems. The fibrin network provides temporary but strong adhesion that holds the wound sealed while the polymer matrix degrades, resolving the contradiction between rapid degradation and maintained adhesive strength
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 patch effectively seals tissues for the required duration, degrading within 10-14 days, minimizing tissue irritation and material waste, while maintaining adhesive strength and sealing ability primarily through the polymer backing, ensuring efficient and safe wound closure.
Implementation Method 1
spreading the polymer solution onto a support material to coat the support
Implementation Method 2
volatizing the methylene chloride from the coated support
Implementation Method 3
removing the water
Implementation Method 4
a fibrinogen sealant incorporated into a polymer backing
Data Source
AI summary
A method of production of a tissue sealing patch is disclosed. The method comprises applying a vacuum to a heated work surface; applying a solution of a biocompatible polyurethane polymer to the work surface and spreading it over the work surface with a polymer blade; evaporating the solvent; heating the work surface above the softening temperature of the polymer; spreading powdered tissue sealant material over the polymer film; incorporating the tissue sealant material to a depth of 20-60 μm in the film by pressing on a release sheet placed over the powder and polymer film; removing the release sheet from the adhesive patch material; releasing the vacuum; cooling said work surface; and removing the adhesive patch material from said work surface. The biocompatible polymer preferably comprises PEG-caprolactone-lactic acid units connected by urethane linkages, the PEG having a molecular weight of 3000-3500 amu, and a CL:LA:PEG ratio of 34:2:1.