Disposable Hydrogel Compression Assembly for Sterile Tissue Scaffolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for compressing hydrogels are costly, time-consuming, prone to contamination, and risk damaging the final tissue product, limiting production output and quality.
Innovation Solution
A fully disposable system comprising a hydrogel receptacle assembly, piston assembly, and flask for compressing and incubating hydrogels, eliminating the need for re-sterilization and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reusable compression devices are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases and sterilization time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fully disposable compression system including the graft frame, filter plate, base frame, piston, and piston frame. These components are designed for single-use only, eliminating the need for sterilization between uses and thereby removing contamination risk while keeping individual component costs low. The disposable nature ensures that each compression operation starts with a sterile, unused system.
2Ease of operation
If traditional compression devices are used, then compression function is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable components are pre-assembled in a sterile configuration before use. The graft frame, filter plate, and base frame are prepared in advance with all necessary elements in place, eliminating setup time during the compression process. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required for each compression operation and increases overall production throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression system is divided into separate modular components (graft frame, filter plate, base frame, piston assembly) that can be independently prepared and quickly assembled. This segmentation allows for efficient workflow where components are ready beforehand and can be rapidly put together, reducing the time each compression cycle takes and improving productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If reusable devices are used, then equipment investment is reduced, but cleaning and sterilization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable components that are discarded after a single use, completely eliminating the time-consuming sterilization process. The low cost of individual disposable components compensates for the lack of reusability, making the overall process more efficient despite the continuous need for new components.
Solution Approach 2:
All sterilization is performed in advance during manufacturing of the disposable components. When the system is used clinically, the sterilization work is already complete, and no additional sterilization time is required during the compression operation itself.
4Strength
If compression is applied to hydrogel, then mechanical robustness is improved, but the tissue product may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The graft frame incorporates a flexible permeable membrane that allows controlled compression force distribution. This flexible membrane prevents concentration of stress that could damage the tissue product while still achieving the necessary mechanical robustness through uniform compression across the hydrogel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter plate and membrane use porous materials that allow fluid egress during compression while providing structural support. The porous structure distributes compression forces evenly and prevents localized damage to the tissue product, achieving mechanical robustness without compromising tissue integrity.
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 system reduces costs, minimizes contamination, and enhances production output by ensuring a sterile environment and preventing damage to the tissue product.
Implementation Method 1
the piston frame is configured to press the piston along the compression direction against the hydrogel layer residing in the graft frame so as to compress the hydrogel layer between the piston and the membrane bottom of the graft frame
Implementation Method 2
a permeable membrane bottom connected to said frame member
Implementation Method 3
a porous filter plate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fully disposable system for casting, polymerizing and compressing a hydrogel. The invention further relates to a method for producing a scaffold for the generation of artificial tissue products using said disposable system.