Bioengineered Allogeneic Blood Vessel via Decellularization and Recellularization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sources for vascular grafts, such as allogeneic, animal, and artificial blood vessels, face issues like scarcity, poor patency, transplant rejection, and immunosuppression complications, necessitating a more effective and safer method for producing allogeneic blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A method involving decellularization of blood vessels followed by recellularization using autologous cells, where cells from the patient are introduced to a decellularized blood vessel and cultured to differentiate into functional endothelial and smooth muscle cells, creating a bioengineered vessel suitable for implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If allogeneic blood vessels are used for vascular grafts, then graft availability is improved, but transplant rejection and immunosuppression complications occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft availabilityVSAvoidtransplant rejection

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes cellular components (nuclei, cell membranes) from donor blood vessels through decellularization processes, retaining only the extracellular matrix scaffold. This eliminates donor-specific antigens that cause rejection while preserving the vessel structure for implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the biological state of the graft by transitioning from a cellular-containing state to a decellularized state, then recellularizing with recipient-derived cells. This parameter change eliminates immunogenicity while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If decellularization is performed on blood vessels, then graft availability and non-immunogenicity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft availabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs decellularization as a preliminary processing step on donor vessels before implantation. By pre-processing the vessels in this manner, the complex multi-step process is consolidated into a preparatory phase, simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If autologous cells are used for recellularization, then graft compatibility is improved, but cell source availability and processing time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the recipient's own cells (autologous cells) to recellularize the decellularized vessel scaffold. The cells are derived from the recipient's bone marrow or peripheral blood, ensuring perfect compatibility and eliminating rejection risks while using the patient's self-resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of time

If conventional blood vessel sources are used, then immediate availability is improved, but long-term patency and durability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate availabilityVSAvoidlong-term patency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure combining the decellularized donor vessel scaffold (providing immediate structural availability) with autologous recipient cells (providing long-term durability and patency). This composite approach merges the advantages of both immediate availability and long-term survival.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach provides a non-immunogenic, longer-lasting, and more readily available vascular graft with preserved angiogenic growth factors and biomechanical integrity, reducing the need for immunosuppression and minimizing graft rejection risks.

Implementation Method 1

preserved angiogenic growth factors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRetention of growth factors in extracellular matrix: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

cells from the patient are introduced to a decellularized blood vessel and cultured to differentiate into functional endothelial and smooth muscle cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCellular differentiation:

Data Source

PatentUS12090253B2Bioengineered allogeneic blood vessel

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 VERIGRAFT AB

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods for recellurization of blood vessels. This method is particularly useful for producing an allogeneic vein, wherein a donor vein is decellularized and then recellularized using whole blood or bone marrow stem cells. The allogeneic veins produced by the methods disclosed herein are particularly advantageous for implantation or transplantation into patients with vascular diseases.