Cartilage Cell Processing Device for Single-Surgery Seeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cartilage repair methods, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation and mosaicplasty, are limited by the need for multiple surgical procedures, high costs, and the challenge of de-differentiation of cartilage cells, which hinders efficient repair of cartilage defects, especially in larger areas.
Innovation Solution
A module-based cartilage cell processing device that integrates cartilage preparation, cell isolation, and cell seeding modules, allowing for semi-automatic or fully automatic processing of cartilage cells, enabling single-surgery treatment by preparing a cell-seeded carrier using a scaffold or gel, with customizable architecture and sterile handling to improve clinical outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is performed, then cartilage defects can be treated, but multiple surgical procedures and high costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cartilage cell preparation, carrier seeding, and implantation into a single integrated procedure. The arthroscope serves multiple functions including cartilage sampling, cell processing, and implantation delivery, eliminating the need for separate harvesting and implantation surgeries that characterize traditional ACI protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The arthroscope is designed as a multi-functional device that performs cartilage sampling, cell processing, carrier seeding, and implantation delivery. This universal approach allows a single surgical procedure to accomplish what traditionally required multiple separate operations, reducing patient burden and surgical complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If cartilage cells are expanded in vitro for ACI, then sufficient cell numbers are obtained, but cell phenotype is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cartilage cell preparation and carrier seeding in advance during the same surgical procedure. By preparing the cell-seeded carrier intraoperatively and implanting it immediately, the system eliminates the extended in vitro expansion period that causes phenotypic drift, while still obtaining sufficient viable cells for effective treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention skips the traditional multi-month in vitro cell expansion and phenotyping verification steps by using minimally expanded cells that are processed and implanted within the same surgical procedure. This rapid processing approach preserves cell phenotype while still providing adequate cell numbers for cartilage repair.
3Reliability
If traditional ACI procedures are used, then cartilage repair is achieved, but treatment time and rehabilitation period are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cartilage repair process into distinct functional modules within a single procedure: cartilage sampling, cell isolation, carrier preparation, cell seeding, and implantation. This modular approach streamlines the workflow and enables completion of all steps in one surgery, eliminating the extended treatment timeline of traditional ACI.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by performing cell preparation and carrier seeding without interruption during the surgical procedure. The arthroscope enables seamless transition between sampling, processing, and implantation steps, eliminating idle time and extending the overall treatment duration that plagues traditional multi-stage ACI protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automated or semi-automated module-based cartilage cell processing device (20) for preparing a cell seeded carrier (27a) from a biological material, comprising at least a cartilage preparation module (21), a cell isolation module (22), a cell mixing module (29) and a carrier cell seeding module (29a). The invention further relates to the individual modules of the module-based cartilage cell processing device (20).