In Situ Gelation of Collagen Biomatrix for Cartilage Defect Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating cartilage defects require invasive surgical procedures and complex adaptation of pre-made cartilage implants, which increase the risk of contamination and postoperative complications due to the need for precise fitting and handling of hardened implants.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a multi-chamber syringe that mixes a concentrated liquid collagen solution with a buffer solution at body temperature, allowing the mixture to gel immediately upon application, creating a collagen biomatrix that can be directly injected into cartilage defects, adapting to the cavity's shape and reducing the need for extensive surgical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-made cartilage implants are used, then the cartilage defect can be filled, but the implant must be cut to size and adapted to the cavity which is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The implant material is provided in a liquid state that can be easily injected and adapted to the cavity shape, then undergoes phase transition to gel state after injection, eliminating the need for complex pre-adaptation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adapting a solid implant to fit the cavity, the liquid implant material is injected to fill the cavity and then solidifies in place, reversing the traditional adaptation sequence
2Reliability
If pre-made cartilage implants are used, then the cartilage defect can be filled, but precise fitting and handling of hardened implants increases the risk of contamination and postoperative complications
Solution Approach 1:
The implant material transitions from a liquid state during injection to a gel state after injection, allowing for easy adaptation during the liquid phase and stable positioning after gelation, reducing handling risks
Solution Approach 2:
The implant material is prepared in liquid form before injection, allowing it to naturally flow and adapt to the cavity shape, eliminating the need for complex post-injection adaptation that increases contamination risk
3Reliability
If invasive surgical measures are used to create a cavity and fill it with cartilage implant, then cartilage defects can be treated, but the surgical complexity and trauma are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The implant material is delivered through a syringe in liquid form, utilizing hydraulic principles for minimally invasive injection, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining treatment efficacy
4Stability of the object's composition
If cartilage implant edges must engage with cavity edges for stable anchoring, then the implant can be securely positioned, but the adaptation process becomes even more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The material state change from liquid to gel allows the implant to conform to the cavity shape including edge engagement, achieving stable anchoring through phase transition rather than complex mechanical adaptation
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 method enables minimally invasive surgery by allowing the collagen biomatrix to harden in situ, reducing trauma and improving adaptation to the defect site, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and safety while avoiding collagen denaturing and complications associated with pre-made implants.
Implementation Method 1
tempered collagen solution and tempered buffer solution are mixed, preferably immediately afterwards, to obtain a gelable collagen composition which immediately begins to gel and can harden to form a collagen biomatrix
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the production and preparation of a coagulating collagen composition that directly forms a collagen matrix, and to a means for producing same and the use thereof, in the particular in the course of therapy.