Solid dECM Microparticles for Cardiac Biomolecule Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) biomaterials for treating heart injuries are delivered as liquid hydrogels, which are vulnerable to degradation and have unknown retention in the heart.

Innovation Solution

Development of injectable solid dECM microparticles derived from heart tissue, which exhibit controlled sizing and extended stability in aqueous conditions, facilitating sustained biomolecule delivery and improved cardiac function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If liquid dECM hydrogel is used for delivery, then ease of injection is improved, but stability and retention in the heart deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of injectionVSAvoidstability and retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the physical state of dECM from liquid hydrogel to solid microparticles, fundamentally changing the parameter of material consistency. This transformation enables the material to maintain structural integrity and resistance to collagenase digestion while remaining injectable, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of injection and stability/retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite microparticles comprising dECM embedded within a supportive matrix structure. This composite formulation provides both the injectability of liquid precursors and the stability of solid structures, allowing the material to resist degradation and maintain retention in the heart while being easily deliverable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If liquid dECM hydrogel is used, then delivery simplicity is improved, but degradation resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery simplicityVSAvoiddegradation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid microparticles, which fundamentally alters the material's resistance to enzymatic degradation. The solid structure provides physical barriers against collagenase access, thereby improving degradation resistance while maintaining delivery simplicity through injectable formulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If solid dECM microparticles are used, then stability and retention are improved, but ease of injection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability and retentionVSAvoidease of injection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dECM material into discrete microparticle units with controlled size distribution. This segmentation allows the solid particles to flow through injection catheters while maintaining their structural integrity and stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of injection and stability/retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If liquid dECM hydrogel is used, then rapid delivery is improved, but duration of action deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidduration of action

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state from liquid to solid microparticles, which extends the duration of action by providing sustained release of biomolecules and prolonged resistance to degradation. The solid structure maintains therapeutic presence in the heart for extended periods while still allowing rapid injection delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250032637A1Solid particles comprising decellularized cardiac tissue extracellular matrix and methods for making and using the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to solid particles comprising decellularized cardiac tissue extracellular matrix and, more particularly, to solid particles comprising decellularized cardiac tissue extracellular matrix for use in biomolecule delivery, treatment of cardiac diseases or cardiac conditions, and methods of generating the solid particles.