Urinary Bladder ECM Hydrogel Cushion for Precise Esophageal Dissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic procedures for esophageal resection, such as EMR and ESD, lack effective agents to dissect mucosa and submucosa from the muscularis propria while minimizing inflammation and ensuring precise tissue separation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a urinary bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel as a submucosal cushion, characterized by rapid gelation, suitable viscosity, and controlled stiffness, to create a cushion between the submucosa and muscularis propria, facilitating the dissection of mucosa and submucosa during endoscopic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional endoscopic agents are used for submucosal dissection, then the procedure can be performed, but the dissection precision is insufficient and inflammation is not effectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the submucosal cushion material by using a hydrogel composition with specific rheological properties (viscosity, gelation time, stiffness) that enable precise tissue dissection while controlling inflammation. The hydrogel's controlled gelation characteristics allow it to maintain structural integrity during dissection while gradually degrading to reduce inflammatory response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite hydrogel material combining multiple components (including hyaluronic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, and other polymers) to achieve both precise dissection capabilities and anti-inflammatory properties. This composite formulation provides mechanical support for accurate cutting while the biochemical composition suppresses inflammatory responses during the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If a submucosal cushion is formed for dissection, then tissue separation is facilitated, but the cushion stability and duration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a dynamic hydrogel cushion that transitions from an injectable liquid state to a gelated semi-solid state within the submucosal space. This phase transition provides immediate structural support for dissection while the gel's viscoelastic properties allow it to maintain cushioning action throughout the procedure. The hydrogel's rheological characteristics enable it to adapt to tissue movement while maintaining stable separation.
3Loss of time
If the hydrogel gelation time is reduced for rapid cushion formation, then the dissection can start sooner, but the gelation control precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature-sensitive gelation triggers that respond to the body's thermal environment. The hydrogel composition includes thermally-responsive polymers that automatically gel at physiological temperatures (37°C), providing self-regulating gelation control. This feedback mechanism ensures rapid cushion formation while maintaining precise gelation timing based on the local tissue temperature, eliminating the need for external triggering mechanisms.
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 ECM hydrogel effectively dissects the mucosa and submucosa from the muscularis propria, reduces inflammation, and supports precise endoscopic resection by forming a stable cushion, enhancing the efficacy of procedures like EMR and ESD.
Implementation Method 1
a pharmaceutical composition comprising a urinary bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel to form a cushion between the submucosa and the underlying muscularis propria
Implementation Method 2
a flow viscosity suitable for infusion into the esophagus; and c) a stiffness of about 10 to about 400 Pascal (Pa)
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are disclosed for dissecting a mucosa and a submucosa from a muscularis propria from a region of the esophagus of a subject. These methods include injecting submucosally into the region of the esophagus of the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a urinary bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel, to form a cushion between the submucosa and the underlying muscularis propria at the region of the esophagus, wherein the ECM hydrogel has the following characteristics: a) a time to 50% gelation of less than 20 minutes at a temperature of about 37° C.; b) a flow viscosity suitable for infusion into the esophagus; and c) a stiffness of about 10 to about 400 Pascal (Pa).