Triggerable Bioadhesive Polymer for Medical Device Tissue Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices face challenges in maintaining therapeutic agents at treatment sites, especially in areas with body fluids, as these fluids rapidly wash away the agents, limiting their effectiveness and residence time.
Innovation Solution
Development of medical devices with biocompatible polymers having triggerable bioadhesive properties that can be activated by stimuli such as electrical potential, pH changes, or pressure, allowing the devices to adhere to body tissue and potentially remain bioadhesive even after the stimulus is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If therapeutic agents are applied to body tissues exposed to body fluids, then the therapeutic agents can be delivered to the treatment site, but the body fluids rapidly wash away the therapeutic agents, limiting their residence time and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bioadhesive polymer coating as an intermediary between the therapeutic agent and body fluids. This coating layer prevents direct contact between the therapeutic agent and washing body fluids, thereby extending residence time while maintaining drug delivery effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs stimuli-responsive polymers that change their adhesion parameters in response to specific triggers (pH, temperature, electrical potential). This allows the therapeutic agent to be firmly held under certain conditions and released when needed, optimizing both residence time and effectiveness
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional bioadhesive materials are used, then therapeutic agents can be retained at the treatment site, but the bioadhesive properties cannot be controlled or switched on and off as needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static bioadhesive materials into dynamic, stimuli-responsive systems. The bioadhesive properties can be activated or deactivated on demand through external triggers, providing precise control over retention time while maintaining ease of operation through non-invasive stimulation methods
3Quantity of substance
If therapeutic agents are introduced to body lumens, then the agents can reach the treatment area, but blood flow sweeps the agents downstream, reducing their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The bioadhesive polymer coating acts as an intermediary that anchors therapeutic agents to the vessel wall, preventing them from being swept away by blood flow. This intermediary layer allows the full quantity of therapeutic agent to remain at the treatment site despite high flow velocities
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
Enhances the control and accuracy of bioadhesion, ensuring therapeutic agents remain at the treatment site for a longer duration, improving the effectiveness of medical treatments by maintaining device adherence to body tissue.
Implementation Method 1
Bioadhesion refers to the ability of certain materials such as, polymers, macromolecules and hydrocolloids to adhere to biological or body tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are implantable medical devices comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue. The triggerable bioadhesive property of the polymer can be triggered or activated by exposure to a stimulus. Also, the present invention pertains to methods of making an implantable medical device comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue.