Shape memory polymer hydrogels for wound healing
AssigneeSyracuse University
InventorMary Beth Monroe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shape memory polymer hydrogel that is biodegradable, includes antimicrobial agents, and has a tunable drug delivery is used for wound healing internally and externally. The shape memory polymer is synthesized using a combination of hydrophilic precursors that are configured to have two to four functional end groups, with at least one component that has at least three functional groups. The synthesis route provides for a covalently crosslinked thermoset hydrogel. The chemistry can be tuned to provide desired transition temperatures for delivery (e.g. below 37° C.) and desired pore sizes for healing (e.g. 250-500 μm).
Claims18
A porous wound scaffold, comprising;
- a shape memory polymer foam comprised of a crosslinked network of a multi-armed precursor having a plurality of hydroxyl end groups polymerized with a diisocyanate, wherein the multi-armed precursor is selected from group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol);
- and
- an antimicrobial compound covalently coupled to at least one arm of the multi-armed precursor of the crosslinked network;
- wherein the shape memory polymer foam has a swelling ratio of at least 200 percent and will transition from a compressed geometry to an expanded geometry that is larger than the compressed geometry at a predetermined temperature.
A porous wound scaffold, comprising;
- a shape memory polymer foam comprised of a crosslinked network of a multi-armed precursor having a plurality of hydroxyl end groups polymerized with a diisocyanate, wherein the multi-armed precursor is selected from group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol);
- and
- a degradable compound covalently coupled to at least one arm of the multi-armed precursor of the crosslinked network;
- wherein the shape memory polymer foam has a swelling ratio of at least 200 percent and will transition from a compressed geometry to an expanded geometry that is larger than the compressed geometry at a predetermined temperature.
A method of forming a shape memory polymer foam, comprising the steps:
- polymerizing a multi-armed precursor having a plurality of hydroxyl end groups with a diisocyanate to form a cross-linked network, wherein the multi-armed precursor is selected from group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol) and wherein a compound that has antimicrobial properties or that is degradable is covalently bonded to at least one arm of the multi-armed precursor of the crosslinked network by a carboxylic acid of the multi-armed precursor or an isocyanate group of the diisocynate;
- and
- forming a plurality of pores when polymerizing the multi-armed precursor and the diisocyanate to produce a shape memory polymer foam that has a swelling ratio of at least 200 percent and will transition from a compressed second geometry to an expanded a primary geometry that is larger than the compressed geometry at a predetermined temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.