Anisotropic Muscle Membrane for Fiber-Matched Mechanical Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomaterials for epicardial applications and orthoses do not adequately adapt to the complex mechanical movements of heart and skeletal muscles, potentially causing mechanical interference and inadequate compensation for muscle function.
Innovation Solution
A muscle membrane with anisotropic behavior is designed, featuring a biocompatible matrix and reinforcing strips oriented according to muscle fiber orientations, manufactured using 3D printing to match the muscle's shape and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If isotropic membranes or patches are used for epicardial applications, then manufacturing is simplified, but the mechanical interaction with the heart muscle becomes inappropriate and may cause restriction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of a matrix material combined with reinforcing materials oriented in specific directions. This composite structure enables the membrane to replicate the anisotropic mechanical properties of muscle fibers while maintaining manufacturability through controlled material combination and directional arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by orienting reinforcing materials in specific directions that match the local fiber orientation of the underlying muscle tissue. This directional reinforcement creates regions with different mechanical properties corresponding to the heterogeneous structure of the heart muscle, allowing the membrane to adapt to local mechanical requirements rather than applying uniform isotropic properties throughout.
2Reliability
If a membrane is designed to follow muscle movement, then mechanical support is improved, but the complexity of adapting to varying fiber orientations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reinforcing structure into discrete elements or strips that can be independently oriented according to local muscle fiber directions. This segmentation allows the membrane to follow complex muscle movements by distributing directional reinforcement across multiple segments rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining movement adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the orientation, density, and distribution of reinforcing materials across different regions of the membrane. This parametric variation allows the membrane to adapt to changing muscle fiber orientations and mechanical requirements throughout the epicardial surface, providing appropriate mechanical support without requiring excessive structural complexity through controlled modification of material parameters.
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 membrane effectively follows and corrects the natural movement of muscles, providing appropriate mechanical support and compensation without interfering with the muscle's natural function, suitable for cardiac prostheses and orthoses.
Implementation Method 1
The invention also concerns a method for manufacturing such a membrane by 3D printing
Implementation Method 2
a matrix designed in a biocompatible material having an elasticity similar to that of the external tissue of the muscle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a muscle membrane intended to be affixed to a muscle of a human or animal body, the membrane being capable of at least partially surrounding the muscle, the muscle comprising fibres covered with an outer tissue, the positioned membrane having a shape that is identical to that of the muscle. The membrane is characterised in that it exhibits anisotropic behaviour so as to reproduce the mechanical behaviour of the muscle, the membrane comprising: -a matrix designed in a biocompatible material having an elasticity similar to that of the outer tissue of the muscle, -one or more reinforcing strips rigidly attached to the matrix, each strip being designed in a biocompatible material having an elasticity similar to that of the fibres it covers and each strip being oriented according to membrane stiffening requirements and according to the expected muscle correction.