Collagen Purification by Diafiltration to Preserve Native Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collagen purification processes subject the molecule to harsh environmental and mechanical stresses, leading to denaturation and loss of native conformation, which hampers the construction of three-dimensional scaffolds that accurately mimic tissue dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving incubation in an acidic solution followed by diafiltration and filtration steps to purify monomeric collagen, which is then electrospun to form three-dimensional scaffolds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional purification processes are used to extract collagen, then collagen can be obtained in sufficient quantity, but the molecule undergoes harsh environmental and mechanical stresses that damage its native fold and denature it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the extraction process by using mild acidic conditions (pH 2-7) instead of harsh conditions, and performing extraction at controlled temperatures (4-37°C) to maintain collagen's native conformation while achieving sufficient yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces harsh mechanical stress methods with gentler chemical extraction methods using acidic solutions, eliminating the need for extreme mechanical forces that would damage the collagen molecule's native fold
2Manufacturing precision
If collagen is purified using traditional methods, then purification is achieved, but the loss of native-like conformation decreases the malleability of the purified collagen product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction of monomeric collagen in its native conformation before any processing that might affect its structure, ensuring the collagen retains its malleability and ability to form three-dimensional scaffolds
3Productivity
If existing purification processes are used, then collagen can be extracted, but the process does not efficiently produce monomeric collagen suitable for electrospinning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collagen extraction process into distinct stages: initial extraction of monomeric collagen, followed by separate purification steps, allowing each stage to optimize for its specific function and achieve both high efficiency and high purity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acidic solution as an intermediary medium that selectively solubilizes monomeric collagen from the tissue matrix while leaving other components intact, enabling efficient separation and purification of monomeric collagen
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 process enables the production of monomeric collagen that retains its structure, allowing for the formation of high-quality three-dimensional scaffolds with improved solubility and suitability for electrospinning.
Implementation Method 1
incubating the collagen-containing matter in an acidic solution for at least 1 h at a temperature in the range of about 0°C to about 37°C to form an incubant
Implementation Method 2
diafiltrating the incubant from step (a) to substantially purify solubilised collagen within the incubant, thereby forming a retentate
Implementation Method 3
separating the soluble and insoluble matter of the retentate obtained from step (b) to remove the remaining insoluble matter
Implementation Method 4
Electrospinning is a fibre production method which uses electric force to draw charged threads of polymer solutions or polymer melts up to fibre diameters in the order of some hundred nanometers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A process for the extraction of collagen from collagen-containing matter, wherein the process comprises; incubating the collagen-containing matter in an acidic solution to form an incubant, then diafiltrating the incubant to substantially purify solubilised collagen within the incubant, thereby forming a retentate, then separating the soluble and insoluble matter of the retentate to remove the remaining insoluble matter, wherein the soluble matter is a substantially pure collagen solution.