ECM-Collagen Hydrogel for Corneal Tissue Engineering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogels used in tissue engineering have weak mechanical properties, making them difficult to deliver and integrate into the body for tissue or organ replacement, and they lack sufficient biocompatibility for effective cell survival and tissue reconstruction.

Innovation Solution

A modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel is created by combining decellularized collagen with methacrylated collagen through a Michael addition reaction, enhancing viscoelasticity and biocompatibility, which is then used to encapsulate cells for 3-D printing of artificial tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogel is used as scaffold material for tissue engineering, then biocompatibility and cell survival are improved, but mechanical properties are insufficient for delivery and tissue replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hydrogel with extracellular matrix components to create a composite scaffold material that integrates the biocompatibility of hydrogel with the structural integrity and mechanical properties of extracellular matrix, resolving the contradiction between softness and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hydrogel is used for cell encapsulation and delivery, then cell survival is enhanced, but the material cannot be effectively delivered into the human body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell survivalVSAvoiddeliverability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the hydrogel-scaffold composite, including viscosity, elasticity, and degradation rate, to enable the material to be delivered via minimally invasive techniques while maintaining cell viability during and after delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If additional materials and photocuring agents are added to enhance hydrogel physical properties, then mechanical strength is improved, but biocompatibility and simplicity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical propertiesVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs naturally occurring extracellular matrix components that provide structural support and mechanical strength without requiring synthetic additives or complex crosslinking agents, maintaining biocompatibility while achieving the desired physical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves enhanced mechanical properties by modifying the concentration, crosslinking density, and compositional ratios of extracellular matrix components within the hydrogel, optimizing the balance between strength and biocompatibility without introducing harmful additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified hydrogel exhibits improved mechanical properties and high cell viability, allowing for successful transplantation and reconstruction of tissues like the cornea with transparency and minimal side effects, making it suitable for tissue engineering applications.

Implementation Method 1

an extracellular matrix-denatured collagen conjugate formed by a Michael addition reaction between an extracellular matrix having an amine group and a denatured collagen into which an ethylenically unsaturated bond functional group is introduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMichael addition reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20220218465A1Modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel, manufacturing method of the same and use of the same

Publication Date: 2022.07.14 POSTECH ACADEMY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION

AI summary

A modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel according to an example of the present disclosure includes an extracellular matrix-denatured collagen conjugate formed by a Michael addition reaction between an extracellular matrix having an amine group and a denatured collagen into which an ethylenically unsaturated bond functional group is introduced. The modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel according to the present disclosure exhibits enhanced mechanical properties (e.g., viscoelasticity) compared to the extracellular matrix hydrogel before modification. In addition, it shows a high cell viability when the bioink is prepared by encapsulating cells in a modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel according to the present disclosure. In addition, when an artificial living tissue for transplantation (for example, artificial corneal tissue) manufactured by 3-D printing bioink according to the present disclosure is transplanted into a damaged cornea, it can be sutured and has a transparency similar to that of the real cornea, and corneal tissue can be reconstructed without other side effects due to its enhanced mechanical properties. Accordingly, the modified extracellular matrix-based hydrogel according to the present disclosure can be applied in tissue engineering fields and related fields requiring improvement in physical properties and is particularly useful as a material for corneal transplants.