Cross-Linked Collagen Membrane Lamination Against Delamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collagen-based membranes for tissue regeneration suffer from delamination issues, leading to instability and potential infection due to dead space creation, especially in dynamic healing environments like the maxillofacial region, and require modifications in thickness, handling properties, and overall size to enhance stability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer collagen-based membrane is developed with a bioresorbable mesh embedded between decellularized natural collagen-based membranes, cross-linked to maintain structural integrity and prevent delamination, using methods that include UV radiation for cross-linking without adhesives, ensuring uniform resorption rates and potential shape memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single layer collagen device is used, then the biological benefits of collagen are maintained, but the thickness and overall size are dictated by the target tissue, limiting customization
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen device is divided into multiple layers that can be independently controlled. Each layer contributes to the overall thickness and can be customized separately, allowing precise control over the final device dimensions while maintaining the biological benefits of collagen in each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple collagen layers with potential reinforcing elements to create a composite structure. This allows the device to have both customizable thickness/size and enhanced mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Strength
If collagen devices are laminated with reinforcing components, then the strength and handling characteristics are improved, but delamination can occur creating dead space and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes adhesives from the lamination process entirely. Instead of using adhesive bonds that can fail, the collagen layers are joined through direct contact and potential cross-linking mechanisms, eliminating the delamination issue while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a cross-linking agent as an intermediary that bonds collagen layers to each other and to reinforcing components. This cross-linking mechanism provides stable, permanent bonds that resist delamination while maintaining the integrity of all layers.
3Strength
If adhesives are used to laminate collagen layers, then the lamination strength is improved, but the resorption rate becomes non-uniform and adhesive degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely removes adhesives from the system. The collagen layers are joined through direct contact, cross-linking, or other non-adhesive bonding mechanisms, eliminating adhesive degradation and ensuring uniform resorption across all layers throughout the healing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the bonding mechanism from chemical adhesion to physical or cross-linking-based bonds. This parameter change ensures that all layers resorb at the same rate since there are no adhesive components with different degradation characteristics, while still providing sufficient lamination strength.
4Strength
If the collagen membrane thickness is increased to achieve ideal configuration, then the structural integrity is improved, but the handling properties and source tissue limitations are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thick collagen membrane into multiple thinner layers. Each layer maintains good handling properties, while the cumulative thickness provides the necessary structural integrity. This segmentation allows the membrane to be handled easily during surgery while achieving the required thickness for strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining multiple collagen layers with potential reinforcing elements. This composite approach provides both excellent handling properties (from the flexible collagen layers) and high structural integrity (from the combined structure and reinforcing components).
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 multi-layer collagen-based membrane achieves enhanced stability and longevity by preventing delamination, maintaining structural integrity under biological fluids, and providing a customizable thickness and strength suitable for clinical applications.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the membrane assembly to a cross-linking agent such that cross-links form between layers of the membrane assembly
Implementation Method 2
using methods that include UV radiation for cross-linking
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-layer collagen-based membrane that includes a bioresorbable mesh embedded between a first decellularized natural collagen-based membrane and a second decellularized natural collagen-based membrane. The bioresorbable mesh can be formed of a synthetic polymer or demineralized laminar bone. Also provided are two methods for manufacturing a multi-layer collagen-based membrane with or without an embedded bioresorbable mesh.