Injectable Collagen Matrix for Spinal Disc Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intervertebral discs and synovial joints in the spine often degenerate due to constant motion and pressure, leading to conditions like spinal stenosis and scoliosis, with existing treatments failing to effectively address the deterioration of these tissues.
Innovation Solution
A collagen material is developed, comprising elongated particles with arcuate and straight portions, and fibers that form a matrix upon injection into intervertebral discs and synovial joints, providing structural support and potentially incorporating cross-linking agents and additives to enhance durability and hydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional treatments are used for degenerated intervertebral discs and synovial joints, then the treatment process is simple, but the effectiveness in addressing tissue deterioration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining collagen particles with specific morphological features (elongated bodies with arcuate portions and straight portions) and fibers to create an injectable material that forms a robust matrix. This composite structure provides both structural support and biological compatibility, effectively addressing tissue deterioration while maintaining feasible treatment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The collagen particles are designed with specific local structural qualities - elongated bodies featuring both arcuate portions and straight portions - that enable them to interlock and form a stable matrix structure at the injection site. This local structural quality ensures effective tissue augmentation without requiring complex treatment procedures
2Strength
If collagen material is injected to form a robust matrix, then structural support and stability are improved, but the manufacturing and injection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen material exhibits dynamic properties by being supplied in a particulate form that can be easily injected through minimally invasive procedures, then transforming in situ to form a robust matrix structure. This dynamic transition from injectable particles to structural matrix resolves the contradiction between ease of injection and structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The material undergoes parameter changes during injection and setting - transitioning from a flowable suspension of particles with specific morphologies to a stabilized matrix structure. This parameter change enables the material to be easily injected while subsequently providing strong structural support
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cross-linking agents and additives are incorporated to enhance durability and hydration, then the material performance is improved, but the material composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Cross-linking agents and additives are pre-incorporated into the collagen particle structure or added during manufacturing to enhance durability and hydration properties before injection. This preliminary action ensures improved material performance without requiring complex post-injection procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition is enhanced through composite formulation, combining collagen particles with cross-linking agents and hydrating additives in a unified structure. This composite approach improves durability and hydration while maintaining a manageable level of compositional complexity
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 collagen material helps in augmenting and stabilizing intervertebral discs and synovial joints, reducing further deterioration and alleviating pain by forming a robust matrix within the tissues, thereby improving joint functionality and reducing the need for surgical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Each particle can include one or more fibers extending from the body. One or more fibers of one particle can engage the one or more fibers of one or more other particles to establish a matrix of material.
Implementation Method 2
The collagen material can be mixed with a hydration fluid, such as saline, to form an injectable slurry, gel, or solution.
Implementation Method 3
incorporating cross-linking agents and additives to enhance durability and hydration
Data Source
AI summary
A collagen material is disclosed and can include a plurality of particles. Each particle can include an elongated, thin body having one or more arcuate portions and one or more straight portions. Further, each particle can include one or more fibers extending from the body. One or more fibers of one particle can engage the one or more fibers of one or more other particles to establish a matrix of material, where a cross-linking agent may be added in the collagen material. Furthermore, an additive including a radiocontrast medium, a drug, a cellular matter, a biological factor, or a combination thereof may be added to the collagen mixture.