Amnion Coated Embolic Agents for Tumor Starvation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer treatments are inadequate in effectively cutting off tumor blood supply, leading to inadequate oxygen and nutrient deprivation for tumor cells, which is crucial for tumor growth inhibition.

Innovation Solution

Development of embolic agents coated with an amnion tissue preparation, which can be administered to reduce or eliminate blood flow to tumors by forming emboli in blood vessels, potentially combined with therapeutic agents like angiogenesis inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents, using bio-compatible materials such as gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol, and varying in size from 0.5 μm to 1200 μm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional embolic agents are used to block blood vessels, then blood flow reduction is achieved, but inadequate oxygen and nutrient deprivation occurs leading to insufficient tumor growth inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor growth inhibition effectivenessVSAvoidinadequate oxygen and nutrient deprivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The embolic agent combines gelatin microsphere core material with amnion tissue coating to create a composite structure that provides both mechanical embolization function and biological activity for enhanced tumor growth inhibition through multiple mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The amnion tissue preparation acts as an intermediary layer between the embolic agent core and the tumor vasculature, delivering bioactive components that enhance the embolization effect and prevent revascularization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If embolic agents are administered to form emboli in blood vessels, then blood flow is reduced or eliminated, but inflammatory response may be induced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow reduction efficiencyVSAvoidinflammatory response
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The amnion tissue coating creates a biocompatible, immunomodulatory environment around the embolic agent that reduces inflammation and promotes tissue compatibility while maintaining embolization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The embolic agent uses resorbable gelatin material that changes physical state from Injectable liquid to solid embolus in vivo, and the amnion tissue preparation modifies the biological response parameters to reduce inflammation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 embolic agents effectively reduce or eliminate blood flow to tumors, starving them of oxygen and nutrients, thereby inhibiting growth and potentially shrinking or eliminating tumors without inducing an inflammatory response, and can be used for both benign and cancerous tumors.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more embolic agents form an embolus in the blood vessel, and where blood flow in the blood vessel is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical blockage/embolization:

Data Source

PatentUS11154577B2Amnion coated embolic agents for treating tumors
Publication Date: 2021.10.26 PETRUCCI GARY M

AI summary

This document provides methods and materials for treating a mammal (e.g., a human) having one or more tumors. For example, embolic agents including an amnion tissue preparation (e.g., amnion coated embolic agents) that can be used in arterial embolization to reduce or eliminate blood flow in a blood vessel that supplies a tumor are provided.