Particulate Egg Shell Membrane Scaffold for Wound Healing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue engineering scaffolds for wound healing and tissue regeneration are either expensive to manufacture or pose pathogen risks due to the use of non-abundant and complex materials, and existing particulate egg shell membrane (ESM) formulations lack evidence of successful treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional, porous, biodegradable, and biocompatible tissue engineering scaffold comprising at least 25% particulate egg shell membrane (ESM) distributed uniformly, which is essentially dry and cost-effective, with controlled pore sizes and porosity for optimal cell migration and proliferation, and is processed to minimize contamination and ensure biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials (collagen, porcine small intestine sub-mucosa) are used to manufacture tissue engineering scaffolds, then structural and functional performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive traditional materials with eggshell membrane, an abundant and inexpensive by-product of the egg industry. The scaffold maintains sufficient structural and functional performance for tissue regeneration while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs, embodying the principle of using cheap, readily available materials to replace expensive alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold combines eggshell membrane particles with other biocompatible materials to create a composite structure that achieves the necessary mechanical strength and biological functionality. This composite approach allows the use of inexpensive ESM while maintaining overall scaffold performance through synergistic material combinations.
2Reliability
If complex natural materials are used in scaffold manufacturing, then biocompatibility and tissue regeneration properties are improved, but pathogen risk and immunological problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the beneficial components of natural materials through the use of eggshell membrane, which is processed to remove potential contaminants. The ESM scaffold maintains biocompatibility and tissue regeneration properties while eliminating pathogen risks associated with more complex natural materials through careful material selection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts a potential disadvantage (use of abundant but previously underutilized eggshell membrane) into a benefit by demonstrating its suitability for tissue engineering applications. The abundant availability of ESM allows for rigorous processing and sterilization protocols that reduce pathogen risk while maintaining biocompatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If intact egg shell membrane is used for wound healing, then cost effectiveness is improved, but structural control and uniformity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the eggshell membrane into particulate forms rather than using it as an intact membrane. This segmentation allows for uniform distribution of ESM particles throughout the scaffold matrix, providing consistent structural properties and controlled porosity while maintaining the cost effectiveness of using abundant ESM material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies ESM particles selectively within the scaffold structure to achieve optimal local properties for cell attachment and tissue regeneration. By controlling the local distribution and concentration of ESM particles, the scaffold achieves uniform structural characteristics while maintaining overall cost effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a three dimensional (3D), porous, biodegradable and biocompatible tissue engineering scaffold, wherein at least 25% w/w of the scaffold is particulate egg shell membrane (ESM) distributed substantially uniformly therein and the scaffold is essentially dry. Methods for preparing the same by freeze-drying and cryogelation and the use thereof in methods of tissue engineering and to promote the healing of wounds are also provided.