Cellular Cardiomyoplasty Using Biodegradable Matrices for Myocardial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular cardiomyoplasty treatments for heart disease face challenges with poor cell survival and engraftment, limited improvements in ventricular function, and unclear mechanisms of action, particularly in advanced coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of cellular cardiomyoplasty as a 'bridge to recovery' or 'destination therapy' involving the selection and treatment of patients with heart diseases using skeletal myoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, or other cell types, combined with pro-angiogenesis therapy, to improve cardiac function and reduce the need for invasive procedures like heart surgery or transplantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular cardiomyoplasty is used to treat heart disease, then cardiac function is improved, but cell survival and engraftment remain poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a biodegradable matrix as an intermediary carrier to deliver cells to the infarcted myocardium. This matrix provides structural support and a favorable microenvironment that enhances cell survival and engraftment while gradually degrading over time, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving cell survival and achieving cardiac function improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the cell delivery system by using a biodegradable matrix with specific porosity, degradation rate, and mechanical properties. These parameter changes create optimal conditions for cell survival while maintaining the therapeutic effect on cardiac function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cellular cardiomyoplasty is used to treat advanced coronary artery disease, then treatment options are expanded, but mechanisms of action remain unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates markers and tracking mechanisms that provide feedback on cell behavior, survival, and integration in the infarcted myocardium. This feedback enables researchers to understand the mechanisms of action while maintaining the versatility of treatment application across different stages of coronary artery disease.
3Productivity
If cellular cardiomyoplasty is used as bridge to recovery, then need for transplantation is reduced, but ventricular dilatation prevention is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a biodegradable matrix before cell implantation to provide structural support and prevent ventricular dilatation during the critical recovery period. This prior cushioning protects the infarcted myocardium from adverse remodeling while cells engraft and functional recovery occurs, thereby avoiding transplantation need while maintaining ventricular geometry stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system for treating heart disease as a “bridge to recovery” using cellular cardiomyoplasty. The system is particularly useful in selecting and treating patients with damaged myocardium due coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and ischemia. Based on various clinical criteria, a patient is selected and optionally treated using cellular cardiomyoplasty to improve the patient's cardiac function. The cardiomyoplasty may be combined with other treatments such as medications or left ventricular assist devices. Preferably, the cellular cardiomyoplasty eliminates the need for invasive surgery such as by-pass grafting or cardiac transplantation. The invention also provides kits for use in selecting and treating patients using the inventive method.