Decellularized ECM Particulate Biomaterials for Tissue Mimics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue engineering methods fail to effectively replicate the complex layered structure and mechanical properties of biological tissues, such as articular cartilage, for repair and regeneration, often relying on exogenous crosslinking compounds that disrupt native tissue architecture.
Innovation Solution
A biomaterial composed of decellularized and particulated extracellular matrix combined with thiolated polymers that crosslink via disulfide bonding, allowing for the creation of mechanically robust, layered tissue mimics that can be used for 3D printing and implantation, preserving the native tissue's mechanical and biological properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If exogenous crosslinking compounds are used to create stable scaffolds, then mechanical robustness is improved, but the ability to replicate native tissue architecture and properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crosslinking mechanism from exogenous chemical compounds to endogenous disulfide bonding between thiolated ECM particles and thiolated polymers. This parameter change in the crosslinking chemistry allows the scaffold to achieve mechanical robustness while preserving native tissue architecture, as the crosslinking occurs through the material's own functional groups rather than external agents that would disrupt tissue structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining decellularized ECM particles with thiolated polymers that crosslink via disulfide bonding. This composite approach enables the material to simultaneously achieve mechanical strength through the crosslinked network and biological fidelity through the preservation of native ECM structure and composition, resolving the contradiction between strength and architectural precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If simplified single-material scaffolds are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to replicate complex layered tissue structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tissue scaffold into distinct functional layers, each with specific mechanical and biochemical properties. The decellularized ECM particles provide structural segmentation that mimics natural tissue zonation, while the thiolated polymer crosslinking provides controlled mechanical properties for each layer. This segmentation enables complex layered structures to be manufactured using standardized processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal scaffold platform using decellularized ECM particles combined with thiolated polymers that can be applied across multiple tissue types and applications. The same basic material system can be configured for different layered structures through variations in particle size, polymer concentration, and crosslinking parameters, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If decellularized tissue particles are used to preserve native structure, then biological fidelity is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thiolated polymers as an intermediary component that mediates between the decellularized ECM particles and the required mechanical stability. The thiolated polymers crosslink with the ECM particles via disulfide bonding, creating a stable network that provides mechanical strength while the ECM particles themselves preserve native tissue structure and biological properties. The intermediary polymer system bridges the gap between structural preservation and mechanical stability.
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 biomaterial enables the fabrication of tissue-specific scaffolds with improved cell integration and mechanical integrity, capable of replicating the complex structure and function of native tissues, facilitating effective tissue repair and regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
the two materials crosslink via disulfide bonding to create stable tissue mimics or repair scaffolds
Data Source
AI summary
A two-component biomaterial and method that replicates both the structural complexity and diverse molecular composition necessary to create a tissue's form and function. It is an objective of the current invention to use the unique combination material and methods herein to provide a pharmaceutical composition, a medical device, a tissue regeneration scaffold, as well as a scaffold for 3D organ culture (tissue on a chip, lab grown meat, research stem cell differentiation) comprising a significant amount of acellular tissue particles packed tightly and held together via crosslinking between the acellular particles and a thiolated protein.