Artificial Axon Bundle Culture for Large Nerve Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for nerve reconstruction, such as end-to-end suture, autologous nerve grafting, and artificial nerve regeneration tubes, face limitations in length and application for large nerve defects, with concerns about infectious diseases and reduced clinical outcomes beyond 20 mm tube lengths.
Innovation Solution
An artificial axon bundle culture method using a culture medium in a modular culture plate with chambers and channels to grow axon bundles from stem cells or primary nerve cells, allowing for extended lengths and bundling for use as artificial nerves or nerve grafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If nerve regeneration induction tubes are used for large nerve defects, then the length of the nerve defect that can be addressed is improved, but the clinical outcomes deteriorate when the tube length exceeds 20 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the nerve regeneration problem into segments by creating multiple axon bundles (each containing multiple axons) that can be combined. Instead of using a single long tube that deteriorates beyond 20mm, the invention uses multiple shorter axon bundles (each with length L1) that can be assembled to achieve longer total lengths (L2, L3, etc.), thereby maintaining clinical effectiveness while addressing larger nerve defects.
2Reliability
If autologous nerve grafting is used, then the reliability of nerve reconstruction is improved, but the limited length and amount of nerve that can be harvested restricts the application range
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by culturing and growing axon bundles in advance before they are needed for transplantation. Axon bundles can be prepared ahead of time in controlled laboratory conditions, allowing sufficient length to be grown before surgical implantation. This eliminates the limitation of having to use only the limited length of autologous nerve available at the time of surgery.
3Productivity
If allogeneic nerve grafts are used for long lengths, then the productivity of nerve grafting is improved, but concerns about unknown infectious diseases arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by using the patient's own stem cells (autologous stem cells) to generate the axon bundles. The stem cells are harvested from the patient, differentiated into neurons in vitro to form axon bundles, and then transplanted back to the patient. This eliminates the risk of transmitting infectious diseases from allogeneic donors while maintaining the productivity benefits of having grafts prepared in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an axon bundle obtained by a method of culturing a nerve cell aggregation having one spheroid and an axon bundle extending from the spheroidwherein the nerve cell aggregation consisting of a plurality of neurons having a cell body and an axon obtained by a method comprising the following step:supplying a culture medium to one first chamber, one second chamber and one channel having the length of at least 1 mm, the width of 100 to 150 μm and the height of 100 to 200 μm, which connecting said first chamber and second chamber, wherein said first chamber, second chamber, and channel are contained in one of the modules disposed in a culture plate,seeding the first chamber with a nerve cell derived from a stem cell or a spheroid of primary cultured nerve cells; andculturing said nerve cell, thereby growing an axon bundle from said spheroid and extending them into said channel,wherein the length of the axon bundle obtained is 1 mm or more, and the diameter of the axon bundles is 50 μm or more.