Decellularized Meniscus Scaffold for Cell Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatment options for meniscus injuries, such as meniscus repair, partial meniscectomy, total meniscectomy, or fresh frozen meniscus allograft transplantation, do not provide an ideal substrate for cell growth, leading to articular cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis.
Innovation Solution
Decellularizing meniscus tissue using oxidants and detergents to increase pore size and porosity, and seeding with allogeneic or autogeneic cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, under controlled oxygen tension and mechanical stress to create a bioscaffold that can be implanted in the knee joint for osteoarthritis treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If meniscus tissue is used as a scaffold, then cell growth substrate is provided, but current treatment options do not provide ideal substrate for cell growth leading to articular cartilage degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the meniscus scaffold through decellularization treatment. This process alters the tissue structure to increase porosity and pore size, creating an ideal substrate for cell growth while removing harmful cellular components that cause degeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts cellular material from the meniscus tissue through decellularization processes. By removing cells and cellular debris while preserving the extracellular matrix, the scaffold becomes a clean substrate that promotes cell growth and prevents articular cartilage degeneration.
2Reliability
If decellularization treatment is applied to increase porosity, then cell infiltration is improved, but tissue structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The decellularization treatment is applied locally and selectively to specific regions of the meniscus tissue. By controlling the treatment parameters and application areas, the scaffold achieves enhanced porosity and cell infiltration capability in critical regions while preserving structural integrity in load-bearing areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls decellularization parameters such as treatment time, chemical concentration, and temperature to optimize the balance between porosity enhancement and structural preservation. These parameter adjustments ensure that the scaffold achieves desired cell infiltration properties without compromising overall tissue strength.
3Reliability
If mechanical stress is applied in bioreactor system, then cell growth and differentiation is enhanced, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system applies dynamic mechanical stress to the scaffold during cell culture. By incorporating movable components that apply controlled mechanical forces, the system enhances cell growth and differentiation while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through standardized bioreactor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor system is designed to perform multiple functions: providing mechanical stress, controlling environmental conditions, and facilitating cell growth. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall processing complexity while maintaining effective cell differentiation.
4Reliability
If oxidants and detergents are used for decellularization, then extraneous material is removed, but residual chemical effects may affect cell viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of oxidants and detergents into a beneficial process by using controlled decellularization treatment. These chemicals effectively remove extraneous material and prepare the scaffold for cell seeding, while subsequent washing and conditioning steps eliminate residual effects that could harm cell viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary steps between the decellularization treatment and cell seeding. These intermediate steps include thorough washing, neutralization, and conditioning processes that remove residual chemicals from the scaffold surface, ensuring that the scaffold is ready for cell implantation without harmful chemical effects.
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 resulting bioscaffold allows for improved cell seeding, infiltration, and attachment of autologous cells, enhancing biomechanical integrity and accelerating healing, thereby potentially reducing the progression of osteoarthritis.
Implementation Method 1
decellularizing a meniscus tissue (e.g., human meniscus tissue) with an oxidant and detergent (e.g., simultaneously) to remove extraneous material and increase the pore size and porosity therein
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods of producing a meniscus scaffold to remove material and increase the pore size and porosity therein. In some embodiments, methods include seeding the tissue with allogeneic or autogeneic cells. Bioscaffolds produced by the processes described herein are also provided, as are methods of treating a subject in need of a bioscaffold implant.