Hydrogel-based biological delivery vehicle
Inventors
Taylor, William • Sipple, Daniel • Segermark, James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12427105-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hydrogel-based biological delivery vehicle used to effectively deliver drug and biological material to tissue or organ sites. More specifically, a hydrogel binding matrix having a biopolymer backbone containing carboxyl groups. Tyramine may be substituted for at least a portion of the carboxyl groups, so that, when hydrogen peroxide is added, it causes creation of covalent bonds between tyramine molecules and cross-links the hydrogel binding matrix, thereby enabling the hydrogel binding matrix to transition from liquid to gel state. The hydrogel binding matrix, in its liquid form, is capable of encapsulating drug reservoirs to create a homogenous liquid with evenly distributed particles containing drugs or target molecules. As the hydrogel binding matrix solidifies into a gel state, the newly created cross-links do not disrupt or react with the drugs or target molecules contained within the drug reservoirs. This hydrogel-based biological delivery vehicle can be used in several medical applications.
Core Innovation
The invention is a hydrogel-based drug delivery vehicle for delivering a drug to a wound. It comprises a water-based first hydrogel matrix formed from a tyramine-containing biopolymer, drug reservoirs dispersed throughout the matrix, and a cross-linking agent that cross-links tyramines. The described vehicle can also contain analgesic agents in hydrogel reservoirs and supports localized, tunable release.
The vehicle provides a matrix that disperses and stabilizes drug reservoirs while preserving encapsulated drug or biological cargo. In addition, drug release is adjusted through hydrogel density, cross-linking, and reservoir properties to support localized, tunable release. The vehicle also enables delivery of analgesic agents to wounds and controlled hydrogel behavior upon implantation.
Claims Coverage
The relevant claim coverage identifies three inventive features across independent claim 1, claim 11, and claim 16, which cover hydrogel-based drug delivery vehicles for wounds with differing limitations on the first hydrogel matrix and the drug reservoirs.
Tyramine-containing hydrogel matrix with dispersed drug reservoirs
Claim 1 covers a water-based first hydrogel matrix comprising a biopolymer with 0.5 mol % to 3.0 mol % of R as tyramine, a plurality of drug reservoirs dispersed throughout the matrix, and a cross-linking agent that cross-links tyramines within the matrix.
Analgesic reservoirs with comparative biopolymer composition
Claim 11 covers a first hydrogel matrix with a biopolymer concentration of 0.5 mol % to 5 mol % and osmolality higher than 295 mOsm/Kg. Each dispersed reservoir comprises a second water-based hydrogel with a higher mol percentage of tyramine and a higher relative biopolymer concentration than the first hydrogel, plus a dispersed analgesic agent. The cross-linking agent cross-links tyramines in both matrices.
Analgesic reservoirs with specified tyramine range and osmolality
Claim 16 covers a first hydrogel matrix with 0.5 mol % to 3.0 mol % of R as tyramine and osmolality higher than 295 mOsm/Kg. Its dispersed reservoirs comprise a second hydrogel with a higher percentage of tyramine and a higher relative biopolymer concentration than the first hydrogel, and an analgesic agent. The cross-linking agent cross-links tyramines in both matrices.
Together, the independent claims cover wound-delivery vehicles with a cross-linked, tyramine-containing first hydrogel matrix and dispersed drug reservoirs. Claim 11 and claim 16 further specify analgesic-containing second hydrogel reservoirs and comparative composition requirements.
Stated Advantages
The matrix disperses and stabilizes drug reservoirs and enables localized, tunable release.
The hydrogel preserves encapsulated drug or biological cargo.
Release can be adjusted through hydrogel density, cross-linking, and reservoir properties.
Documented Applications
Delivery of analgesic agents to wounds.
Wound protection and coagulation.
Tissue patches and tissue engineering.
Coatings for medical devices, including catheters and sensors.
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