Borate Glass Scaffolds with Trace Elements for Angiogenesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for biocompatible materials that promote rapid tissue repair and enhance vascularity in mammals, particularly for wound healing and tissue regeneration, as existing bioactive glasses primarily focus on bone growth rather than vascularization.
Innovation Solution
A scaffold composed of borate-based glass incorporating trace elements like Cu, Fe, Sr, and Zn, which are chemically dissolved in the material to promote angiogenesis by controlled release as the scaffold biodegrades, providing a supportive environment for blood vessel formation and tissue growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If borate-based glass with high CaO concentration is used to facilitate hydroxyapatite formation, then bone bonding is improved, but vascularity and tissue regeneration are not sufficiently enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines borate-based glass with trace elements (Cu, Fe, Sr, Zn) to create a composite material that maintains bone bonding capability while adding angiogenic properties. The trace elements are incorporated into the glass composition at specific concentrations (0.01-5 wt%) to provide dual functionality: structural support for bone formation and chemical signals for blood vessel growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass by incorporating trace elements at controlled concentrations. This parameter change transforms the glass from a single-function bone bonding material to a multi-functional material that also promotes vascularity. The specific concentration ranges are optimized to achieve both bone bonding and angiogenesis without toxicity.
2Productivity
If scaffold degrades rapidly to release trace elements, then angiogenesis is promoted, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the scaffold to provide continuous trace element release over an extended period rather than rapid degradation. The borate-based glass matrix maintains structural integrity while slowly releasing trace elements through controlled degradation, ensuring sustained angiogenic support throughout the tissue regeneration process without compromising mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the degradation rate parameter of the glass scaffold by adjusting the composition and incorporating trace elements. This parameter control ensures that the scaffold degrades at an optimal rate to release trace elements continuously while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support tissue growth during the regeneration period.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trace element concentration is increased to enhance angiogenesis, then vascularization is improved, but potential toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of trace elements within specific ranges (0.01-5 wt%) to achieve effective angiogenesis while avoiding toxicity. Each trace element is incorporated at a controlled concentration that provides sufficient biological activity for blood vessel formation without exceeding toxic thresholds in the host tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating different trace elements at specific concentrations tailored to their individual biological activities and toxicity profiles. Each element is present at the optimal local concentration for its specific function: Cu and Zn for angiogenesis, Fe for hemoglobin synthesis, Sr for bone mineralization, all within safe toxicity limits.
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 scaffold effectively enhances vascularization and tissue growth by controlled release of trace elements, ensuring adequate angiogenic support over an extended period without rapid degradation, maintaining structural integrity and promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
as the scaffold biodegrades
Data Source
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AI summary
A scaffold for implantation into a mammal to facilitate vessel growth in repair, regeneration, and/or proliferation of bodily tissue, where the scaffold is based on a borate, silicate, or phosphate, glass-former and is biodegradable upon implantation in mammals. The scaffold includes one or more trace elements from the group consisting of Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, and Zn which are released into the host to support vessel growth. A method involves implantation of such scaffolds.