Collagen Thread Cross-Linking for Strength and Shape Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collagen threads lack sufficient strength and are soluble in water, limiting their application as medical threads and supports, and existing manufacturing methods fail to maintain shape in aqueous solutions or provide adequate structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving spinning collagen into threads, immediately immersing them in a cross-linking solution containing a hyperosmotic agent and a cross-linking agent, followed by washing and drying, to enhance strength and maintain shape in aqueous environments, allowing for various medical applications such as suture threads, dental materials, and tissue replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If collagen is spun into threads without cross-linking, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the threads lack sufficient strength and are soluble in water
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen threads are cross-linked immediately after spinning while still in thread form, before they can dissolve or degrade. This preliminary cross-linking action ensures that the threads gain sufficient strength and structural integrity right after manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and adequate strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the collagen threads are changed through cross-linking treatment. This transformation modifies the molecular structure of collagen, creating bonds that significantly increase tensile strength and water solubility resistance while maintaining the thread form created during spinning.
2Strength
If collagen threads are made stronger through cross-linking, then the strength increases, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-linking step is merged with the immediate post-spinning treatment process. By combining the spinning and cross-linking operations into a continuous workflow where threads are cross-linked immediately after spinning, the process avoids separate complex stages and maintains efficiency while achieving enhanced strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If collagen threads are used without cross-linking, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the threads dissolve in aqueous solutions
Solution Approach 1:
Cross-linking is performed as a preliminary action immediately after spinning, before the threads are exposed to aqueous environments in the body. This ensures that the threads are pre-treated to resist dissolution, maintaining their structural integrity and shape retention reliability throughout their intended lifespan.
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 cross-linked collagen threads exhibit increased strength and retain shape in aqueous solutions, enabling diverse medical applications and improving the quality and reliability of medical materials.
Implementation Method 1
the spun thread is then cross-linked, the cross-linked collagen thread has increased strength compared to before cross-linking
Implementation Method 2
A first object is to provide collagen and a cross-linking solution including a hyperosmotic agent and a cross-linking agent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a medical material manufactured using collagen and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes (1) preparing collagen using distilled water as a solvent, (2) filling a syringe with the prepared collagen and then spinning the collagen through a syringe needle, (3) immediately immersing the spun collagen in a cross-linking solution, which is a mixture including therein a hyperosmotic agent and a cross-linking agent mixed with each other, (4) removing and then washing the collagen after cross-linking is completed, and (5) removing and then drying the collagen after the washing is completed. When the collagen is spun and processed into the form of a thread and the spun thread is then cross-linked, the cross-linked collagen thread has increased strength compared to before cross-linking, and the shape thereof is retained in an aqueous solution.