Alternating Pressure Vacuum System for Bone Matrix Decellularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for decellularizing bone matrices using alternating pressure and vacuum are inefficient in removing bulk debris, lipids, and cellular artifacts, leading to incomplete decellularization and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
An alternating pressure and vacuum system comprising a piping loop with valves and a pump, utilizing detergent, isopropanol, and EDTA solutions to apply cycles of high pressure and vacuum, along with heating elements to solubilize lipids and remove residual DNA and cellular artifacts, ensuring thorough decellularization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alternating pressure and vacuum cycles are applied to decellularize bone matrices, then cellular artifacts are removed, but bulk debris and lipids remain incompletely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the fluid by heating it to elevated temperatures (e.g., 37°C, 45°C, or higher) during the decellularization process. This temperature parameter change enhances the effectiveness of detergent solutions in solubilizing lipids and removing bulk debris, thereby resolving the incomplete removal issue while maintaining the alternating pressure and vacuum cycle structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite chemical solutions combining detergents with heating, creating a synergistic effect where thermal energy enhances detergent efficacy. This composite approach addresses the limitation of using alternating pressure and vacuum alone by adding a thermal-chemical dimension that targets bulk debris and lipids more effectively
2Object-generated harmful factors
If heating elements are used to solubilize lipids, then lipid removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating in periodic cycles synchronized with the alternating pressure and vacuum cycles. Heating is applied during specific phases (e.g., during detergent circulation) and may be间歇式 (intermittent) rather than continuous, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective lipid solubilization during critical removal phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter within a specific range (e.g., 37°C to 45°C or higher depending on the protocol) to achieve effective lipid removal while minimizing excessive energy consumption. By controlling the temperature parameter rather than using extreme heating, the system balances efficacy with energy efficiency
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 system effectively removes bulk debris, lipids, and cellular artifacts from bone matrices, reducing viral load and contamination, while maintaining a controlled temperature to ensure the quality of the decellularized bone matrix for use as scaffolds for bone grafts.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element configured to heat the piping
Implementation Method 2
operation of the pump in a first direction causes a fluid within the piping to travel toward the chamber such that pressure is applied to the chamber
Implementation Method 3
operation of the pump in a second direction causes the fluid within the pipe to travel away from the chamber such that a vacuum is created on the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An alternating vacuum and pressure system for decellularizing a bone matrix includes piping having a first end open to atmospheric pressure and a second end open to atmospheric pressure, and a subset of piping that forms a loop, a chamber in fluid, at least one heating element configured to heat the piping, a pump, and a plurality of valves. The plurality of valves can be selectively opened or closed to form one of a plurality of configurations, including a pressure configuration in which operation of the pump in a first direction causes a fluid within the piping to travel toward the chamber such that pressure is applied to the chamber and a vacuum configuration in which operation of the pump in a second direction causes the fluid within the pipe to travel away from the chamber such that a vacuum is created on the chamber.