Zwitterionic Hydrogel Barrier for Tissue Inflammation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling inflammation, particularly in chronic diseases like osteoarthritis and in response to tissue implants, are ineffective in preventing tissue degradation and implant failure due to the complex nature of inflammation.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a biocompatible zwitterionic hydrogel formed by polymerizing zwitterionic and crosslinkable monomers, which can be administered to prevent inflammation and stabilize tissue implants by inhibiting progressive tissue loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical inhibitors and mediators of inflammation are used, then inflammation control is attempted, but tissue degradation and implant failure continue due to complex multi-factorial nature of inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflammation control effectivenessVSAvoidtissue degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a zwitterionic hydrogel as an intermediary substance that physically barriers inflammatory mediators from reaching the tissue. This hydrogel coating on implants acts as a protective interface, preventing direct contact between harmful inflammatory chemicals and the tissue, thereby addressing the limitation of conventional chemical inhibitors that cannot effectively control multi-factorial inflammation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The zwitterionic hydrogel forms a flexible protective shell or thin film around tissue implants. This hydrogel layer physically isolates the tissue from inflammatory responses, creating a barrier that prevents inflammatory cells and mediators from degrading the tissue, thus resolving the issue of continuous tissue degradation despite chemical inhibition attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If implantation of artificial organs or biomaterials is performed, then functional replacement is achieved, but inflammatory response and foreign body reaction cause implant isolation and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant functionalityVSAvoidimplant stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful inflammatory response into a beneficial protective mechanism by using the body's own inflammatory mediators to trigger the formation of the zwitterionic hydrogel barrier. The hydrogel is designed to respond to inflammatory signals and form a protective coating that actually prevents further harmful inflammatory reactions, turning the harmful inflammatory environment into a trigger for protective action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible hydrogel shell is applied to the implant surface, creating a physical barrier that prevents inflammatory cells and mediators from directly contacting and degrading the implant. This thin film protects the implant from foreign body reactions while maintaining the implant's functionality, thereby improving implant stability without compromising adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Quantity of substance

If persistent inflammation is allowed to continue, then immune response is maintained, but progressive tissue loss occurs continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune cell presenceVSAvoidtissue mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The zwitterionic hydrogel acts as an intermediary barrier between immune cells and the tissue. It allows the immune system to remain active (maintaining immune cell presence) while preventing these cells from directly attacking and degrading tissue. The hydrogel coating blocks the path of immune cells, stopping progressive tissue loss without suppressing the overall immune response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel forms a flexible protective shell around the tissue, creating a physical barrier that permits immune cell presence in the surrounding environment while preventing them from invading and degrading the tissue. This thin film isolates the tissue from harmful immune reactions, stopping progressive tissue loss while maintaining necessary immune surveillance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 zwitterionic hydrogel effectively protects native and implanted tissues from inflammation, reducing tissue degradation and enhancing the performance and longevity of soft tissue implants by inhibiting inflammatory responses and immune cell infiltration.

Implementation Method 1

a linear polymer comprising, or essentially consisting of: i. a biocompatible zwitterionic first monomer; and ii. a biocompatible crosslinkable second monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectZwitterionic antifouling:

Data Source

PatentUS20230398262A1Tissue Protective Hydrogel

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 ETH ZURICH

AI summary

The present invention relates to the medical use of a zwitterionic antifouling hydrogel. The hydrogel may be used in prevention of and protection against inflammation of tissue or in stabilization of a tissue implant.