Corneal Preservation Solution Using Oncotic Polymer and Synthetic Protein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current preservation methods for corneal tissues, such as hypothermic and organ culture preservation, face limitations including short preservation periods, risk of microbial contamination, tissue swelling, and the need for multiple solutions, which can lead to tissue deterioration and logistical challenges in transplantation.
Innovation Solution
A preservation solution comprising a culture medium, a polymer compound with oncotic properties, and a synthetic nutrient protein, allowing for the maintenance of corneal tissue vitality and thickness over a wide temperature range without swelling, and eliminating the need for multiple solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If hypothermic preservation is used to maintain corneal tissues at low temperatures (2-8°C), then the preservation period is limited to maximum two weeks, but the metabolic activities are inhibited and energy requirement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from hypothermic (2-8°C) to physiological temperature (28-37°C), enabling the corneal tissues to maintain metabolic activities while extending the preservation period up to 4 weeks. The culture medium composition is also adjusted to support metabolic processes at these temperatures.
2Duration of action of moving object
If organ culture preservation is used to maintain corneal tissues at physiological temperatures (28-37°C), then the preservation period can be extended up to 4 weeks, but the risk of microbial contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses antibiotics and antimycotics as temporary protective agents against microbial contamination during the extended preservation period. These substances are added to the culture medium to create a protective environment that allows long-term preservation while preventing harmful microbial growth.
3Shape
If deturgescent agents (Dextran 40, chondroitin sulfate) are added to preservation solution to prevent corneal swelling, then the corneal thickness is maintained, but the solution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the oncotic pressure parameter by adding Dextran 40 to the culture medium, which prevents corneal swelling and maintains proper thickness. This single additive addresses the swelling issue while the rest of the medium composition supports metabolic activities at physiological temperatures.
4Reliability
If multiple preservation solutions are used for different purposes (preservation, deturgescence), then specific functions are optimized, but the handling complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single culture medium that simultaneously provides preservation, prevents swelling, and supports metabolic activities. This unified solution eliminates the need to switch between multiple solutions, reducing handling complexity while maintaining preservation quality throughout the extended period.
5Duration of action of moving object
If the preservation period is extended beyond two weeks, then logistical flexibility is improved, but tissue deterioration occurs in hypothermic preservation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the preservation system by using physiological temperatures (28-37°C) instead of hypothermic temperatures, and by using a culture medium with appropriate composition including antibiotics, antimycotics, and oncotic agents. This enables tissue quality to be maintained for up to 4 weeks without deterioration.
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 solution enables corneal tissue preservation for up to 4 weeks with minimal endothelial cell density reduction and no substantial changes in corneal thickness, reducing the risk of contamination and tissue damage, and allowing for extended analysis and improved logistical flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer compound with oncotic properties
Implementation Method 2
the corneal tissues are immersed in a preservation solution that allows the cells to receive, during their preservation, the nutrients essential for maintaining the cellular metabolic activities
Implementation Method 3
pH indicators and/or buffer substances, such as for example HEPES, and/or sodium bicarbonate
Data Source
AI summary
A preservation solution for corneal tissues in vitro includes:approximately 0.05%-15% by weight/volume of a culture medium for biological tissues,approximately 0.05%-20% by weight/volume of at least one polymer compound having oncotic properties and a Mean molecular weight between 5000 and 550000 Dalton, andapproximately 0.05%-5% by weight/volume of at least one nutrient protein, which is a uniquely synthetic origin.The preservation solution being suitable for preserving the corneal tissues at a temperature between approximately +2° C. and approximately +37° C. and for a preservation period up to 4 weeks, maintaining the vitality of the corneal cells in a substantially unchanged state and the corneal thickness in a substantially physiological state during the preservation period at temperatures between approximately +2° C. and approximately +37° C.