Bioabsorbable Tubular Structure with Polymer Blocks in Cell Voids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artificial blood vessels made from synthetic polymers often suffer from occlusion due to thrombi formation, especially in smaller calibers, and lack the ability to grow with the subject, while those endothelialized with cells face issues of anastomotic occlusion at the junction with biological arteries, and have impaired molecular permeability.
Innovation Solution
A tubular structure composed of biocompatible polymer blocks and cells, where the polymer blocks are disposed in voids between the cells, allowing for high molecular permeability and shape maintainability, formed using a device with a mold that cultivates the cell structure to create a bioabsorbable and growing-compatible artificial blood vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an artificial blood vessel is made from a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, then structural strength and shape stability are improved, but molecular permeability deteriorates and thrombogenicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous biodegradable polymer matrix that allows molecular permeation while providing structural support. The porous structure enables nutrients and oxygen to pass through to the endothelialized layer, preventing thrombosis while maintaining mechanical integrity during the degradation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining biodegradable polymer material with an endothelialized cellular layer. This composite approach provides both the structural strength needed for immediate implantation and the biological functionality (non-thrombogenicity and permeability) provided by the living endothelial cells.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wall thickness of a tubular structure is increased to 1-2 mm, then structural stability is improved, but molecular permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous polymer structure where the pore size and distribution are optimized to allow molecular permeation even at sufficient wall thickness. The porous architecture provides both mechanical stability and permeability by creating interconnected channels through the wall structure.
3Reliability
If an artificial blood vessel is endothelialized with cells, then non-thrombogenic properties are improved, but anastomotic occlusion and compliance mismatch occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biodegradable polymer scaffold that gradually degrades over time, allowing the artificial vessel to transition from providing mechanical support to being completely replaced by biological tissue. This dynamic process enables compliance matching with native vessels as the synthetic material is replaced by living tissue with matching mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention pre-endothelializes the polymer scaffold with endothelial cells before implantation. This preliminary action ensures that the vessel surface is immediately non-thrombogenic upon implantation, preventing thrombus formation while the scaffold gradually degrades and is replaced by host tissue.
4Reliability
If a hybrid artificial blood vessel is created by endothelializing a synthetic polymer vessel, then non-thrombogenicity is improved, but anastomotic occlusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using biodegradable polymers with controlled degradation rates that match the timeline for endothelialization and tissue ingrowth. This parameter control allows the vessel to remain non-thrombogenic during the critical healing period while gradually transitioning to a fully biological construct that eliminates anastomotic occlusion risks.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a cell-containing bioabsorbable tubular structure having molecular permeability, a device for manufacturing the tubular structure, and a method for manufacturing the tubular structure. According to the present invention, there is provided a tubular structure constituted with a cell structure which contains biocompatible polymer blocks and cells, in which the plurality of polymer blocks is disposed in voids between the plurality of cells.