Dried Amnion Tissue Preservation via Far-Infrared and Microwave Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for storing and transporting amnions for eye reconstruction and wound treatment face challenges such as limited storage period, cell destruction during freezing, and the need for specialized facilities, while existing drying methods also damage tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving repeated pressure-reducing and pressure-recovery operations using a far-infrared heater and microwave irradiation to dry amnions without breaking tissues, allowing for the retention of epithelial cells, basement membranes, and connective tissues, enabling long-term storage and easy transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the raw amnion is frozen to preserve it, then the storage period is extended to around three months, but the cell membranes will be broken due to large ice crystals formed during freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from frozen to dried, and uses controlled drying parameters (temperature, humidity, time) to preserve tissue integrity while extending storage period indefinitely without the ice crystal damage caused by freezing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water (which causes ice crystal formation and cell damage during freezing) into a benefit by removing water through drying, thereby eliminating the source of damage while maintaining storage capability
2Reliability
If the raw amnion is frozen at -80°C to preserve it, then the storage stability is improved, but specialized facilities are required to maintain the temperature, making storage and transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive drying equipment instead of complex -80°C freezers, making the preservation process accessible without specialized facilities while achieving equivalent or superior storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the preservation parameter from extreme cold temperature (-80°C) to controlled drying conditions (ambient or elevated temperature with reduced humidity), eliminating the need for specialized temperature-controlled facilities
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the vacuum-freeze drying method is used to dehydrate the amnion, then the amnion can be stored without contacting oxygen, but the cells are significantly atrophied and the dehydrated amnion cannot be used for cell culture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying parameters from extreme vacuum-freeze conditions to controlled atmospheric or elevated pressure drying at moderate temperatures, preserving tissue structure while achieving adequate dehydration for long-term storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial dehydration rather than complete freeze-drying, removing enough water to enable long-term storage without oxygen contact while retaining sufficient tissue structure and cell viability for cell culture applications
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 method effectively preserves amnion tissues, allowing for long-term storage and improved treatability, with the dried amnions retaining functionality for cell culture and medical applications without the need for rehydration, enhancing storage stability and usability compared to freeze-dried amnions.
Implementation Method 1
heating a raw amnion placed in a treatment vessel by a far-infrared heater provided in the treatment vessel
Implementation Method 2
heating the amnion by microwaves irradiated from a microwave heating apparatus provided outside of the treatment vessel
Implementation Method 3
reducing the pressure of the inside of the treatment vessel... a boiling point of water in the raw amnion can be lowered
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a dried amnion which is dried with maintaining tissues of a raw amnion and can be easily stored for a prolonged period of time. An amnion which is dried with maintaining cells and tissues of a raw amnion can be produced by repeating a pressure-reducing operation and a pressure-recovery operation several times, the pressure-reducing operation comprising continuously heating a raw amnion placed in a treatment vessel by a far-infrared heater provided in the treatment vessel and reducing the pressure of the inside of the treatment vessel, and the pressure-recovery operation comprising recovering the reduced pressure of the inside of the treatment vessel with heating the amnion by microwaves irradiated from a microwave heating apparatus provided outside of the treatment vessel, and the amnion is characterized by retaining basement membranes and connective tissues which are constituents of the raw amnion.