Conformal Biological Construct for Torn Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological constructs used in arthroscopic surgery lack optimal integration and stability for effective healing of torn tissues such as the labrum, meniscus, and tendons, limiting their ability to promote efficient regeneration and long-term stability.
Innovation Solution
A conformal biological construct with a resilient triangular or tent-shaped implant featuring a spring frame, a substrate backing, and a porous collagen surface, designed to conform to the anatomy of the torn tissue, enhancing cell attachment and healing by completely encasing the tear area and providing defined geometry for regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional biological construct is used, then the procedure can be performed, but the integration and stability are insufficient for effective healing
Solution Approach 1:
The construct is designed with a conformal shape that matches the curved anatomy of the torn tissue (labrum, meniscus, or tendon), allowing the construct to wrap around and conform to the tissue surface. This curvature enables complete encasement of the tear area, maximizing contact surface area for integration and stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The construct features a porous collagen surface layer specifically at the interface with the torn tissue, providing localized enhancement for cell attachment and integration. This local quality improvement directly addresses the integration and stability requirement while promoting efficient healing at the critical repair site.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the construct is made rigid for stability, then fixation is secure, but delivery through the delivery tube becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The construct incorporates a resilient spring frame that can dynamically change its configuration. During delivery, the spring can be compressed or folded to fit within the delivery tube, and upon deployment at the target site, it expands to its full triangular or tent shape to provide stable fixation. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between delivery ease and fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible spring frame allows the construct to be nested within itself or within the delivery tube during transport, and then deployed to its full size at the repair site. This nesting capability enables easy delivery while maintaining the ability to provide stable fixation when activated.
3Reliability
If the construct uses a porous collagen surface, then cell attachment is enhanced, but moisture resistance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The construct combines a porous collagen surface layer (for cell attachment) with a non-porous moisture-resistant biomaterial layer (for moisture resistance). This composite structure allows the construct to simultaneously achieve both cell attachment and moisture resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 conformal shape and materials used in the construct improve adherence and cell growth, facilitating efficient integration and regeneration, while the collapsible design allows for easy delivery and secure fixation over the repair site, enhancing the healing process and stability of the joint.
Implementation Method 1
The spring frame is collapsible so that it can be loaded within a delivery tube and delivered to a desired repair site. Once at the desired repair site, the spring can be open or expanded to the original triangular or tent shape
Implementation Method 2
The shaped construct includes a spring frame that includes a substrate backing or scaffold surface and a porous collagen surface or layer
Data Source
AI summary
A biological construct that conforms for fixation to a torn labrum, meniscus or tendon. The device includes a resilient triangularly or tent shaped construct that conforms to the anatomy to be treated. The construct includes a first a first surface, a second substrate surface and a third collagen surface.