Compositions and methods for adhesion to surfaces
Inventors
Hess, Brian J. • Kay, George W.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11247941-B2
Publication Date
2022-02-15
Expiration Date
2037-08-08
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Abstract
Provided herein are compositions and their methods of use to adhere (e.g., in wet and dry environments) a variety of materials together.
Core Innovation
The invention provides adhesive, self-setting compositions comprising a multivalent metal salt, such as tetracalcium phosphate or tricalcium phosphate, an aqueous medium, citric acid or malonic acid, calcium citrate, and phosphoserine. These compositions are capable of adhering a variety of materials together in both wet and dry environments and achieve high adhesive strength upon curing.
The compositions are suitable for use in medical and industrial applications, particularly for adhering or stabilizing structures and filling gaps, holes, or voids in substrates such as bone, metals, glass, and other materials. The interaction between the small molecule anionic reactant and the mineral salt of a multivalent metal in an aqueous medium leads to a tacky, adhesive mixture that hardens into a strong, durable bond.
The problem being solved is the inadequacy of conventional fixation and maintenance methods for wet objects, especially in orthopedics and industrial settings. Existing solutions like mechanical devices and resin-based cements are limited by issues including the need for large bone pieces, non-biodegradability, potential toxicity, and poor adhesion to wet surfaces. Current water-based calcium phosphate cements are generally weak, non-adhesive, and not easily injectable, while industrial fixation methods are often ineffective in challenging wet or submerged environments. This invention addresses these shortcomings by providing a robustly adhesive, self-setting composite suitable for use even under wet conditions.
Claims Coverage
There are five main independent inventive features directly claimed in this patent: one for an adhesive composition, one for a kit containing the composition, and three for medical or dental methods employing the composition.
Adhesive composition with multivalent metal salts and organic acids achieving high adhesive strength
The feature consists of an adhesive composition comprising: - A multivalent metal salt selected from tetracalcium phosphate or tricalcium phosphate. - An aqueous medium. - Citric acid or malonic acid. - Calcium citrate. - Phosphoserine. The composition provides an adhesive strength upon curing greater than 1,000 kPa.
Kit comprising the specified adhesive composition
A kit containing: - The specified adhesive composition, including a multivalent metal salt (tetracalcium phosphate or tricalcium phosphate), an aqueous medium, citric acid or malonic acid, calcium citrate, and phosphoserine, with adhesive strength upon curing greater than 1,000 kPa. The kit may also include devices for preparation or application of the adhesive composition.
Method of filling a bone void from removal of bone defect using the adhesive composition
A method comprising: 1. Preparing the adhesive composition (tetracalcium phosphate or tricalcium phosphate, an aqueous medium, citric acid or malonic acid, calcium citrate, phosphoserine; adhesive strength >1,000 kPa). 2. Placing the composition into a bone void resulting from removal of a bone cyst, granuloma, abscess, or similar defect (located crestal, central, or lateral to the alveolar ridge or facial skeleton). 3. Allowing the composition to harden and/or cure in less than about 30 minutes.
Method of filling a bone void resulting from a prepared extraction site
A method involving: 1. Preparing the specified adhesive composition, as above. 2. Placing the composition into a bone void resulting from a prepared extraction site. 3. The composition hardens and/or cures in less than about 30 minutes.
Method of filling a gap or discontinuity of bone resulting from congenital condition, trauma, or surgical procedure
A method including: 1. Preparing the adhesive composition as previously described. 2. Placing the composition into a gap or discontinuity in bone caused by a congenital condition, trauma, inappropriate healing, resection, or segmentation procedure. 3. The adhesive composition hardens and/or cures in less than about 30 minutes. This inventive feature also explicitly covers a similar method for repairing a defect in a tooth, using the same adhesive composition and curing criteria.
The inventive features claimed center on the specific adhesive composition composed of multivalent metal salts and organic acids, kits incorporating the composition, and medical/dental methods of applying and curing the composition for filling voids or discontinuities in bone or tooth structures, all achieving a fast cure and high adhesive strength.
Stated Advantages
The adhesive compositions exhibit robust adhesive behavior toward bone and other materials, including titanium, in both wet and dry environments.
The compositions provide a tacky, adhesive mixture that transitions to a strong, durable bond with high adhesive strength upon curing (greater than 100 kPa, and specifically greater than 1,000 kPa in the claimed composition).
The adhesive compositions can be applied and harden in wet environments, such as with moist, damp, or even submerged substrates.
The compositions can be formulated to have a tacky or putty state for easy application, positioning, and shaping prior to hardening.
The compositions can be injected or applied using small-diameter devices due to their adjustable viscosity.
The compositions are suitable for load-bearing applications and allow stabilization of structures subjected to vibration, cycling strain, or other challenging conditions.
Documented Applications
Adhering structures to bone, teeth, or other surfaces in medical and dental procedures, including fixation of implants, dentures, devices, and bone fragments.
Filling gaps, holes, or voids in bone arising from extractions, cysts, defects, trauma, surgery, or congenital malformations.
Sealing gaps or voids to prevent leakage, infection, fibrous tissue, or microbial ingress in medical and dental settings.
Use in dental applications such as ridge preservation grafts, dental implant placement, cavity filling, and endodontic reconstruction.
Augmenting bone volume for implant placement or structural support in the alveolar or facial skeleton.
Reinforcing, repairing, or bridging discontinuities in bone (e.g., fractures, resected bone, orthognathic surgery, or long bone corrections).
Affixing prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, or other devices to skeletal or dental structures.
Sealing surgical, cranial, or facial access sites by adhering bone flaps or fragments.
Industrial applications such as adhering, sealing, or repairing cracks, defects, or separated objects (e.g., in metal, glass, cement, pipes, marine vessels, industrial equipment, or glass surfaces), especially in wet or submerged conditions.
Stabilizing mechanical assemblies in industrial settings, including nuts/bolts, pipes/fittings, and securing structures subject to vibration or dislodging conditions.
Use as a patch, tape, splint, or plug for surface-spanning defects or cracks in objects.
Reattaching broken or transplanted coral to substrates in marine environments.
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