Electrospun Eggshell Membrane Fiber Assembly for Wound Dressing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing sheet-like or film-like wound dressings from eggshell membranes lack a natural network structure, resulting in insufficient moisture retention, air permeability, and adherence to skin, while fiber treatments do not effectively mimic the eggshell membrane's structure or increase its content.

Innovation Solution

A fiber assembly is created using an electrospinning method with a solution containing an eggshell membrane component and polyphenols, such as catechins, which forms a core/sheath structure and undergoes cross-linking to replicate the natural eggshell membrane's properties, including moisture retention and air permeability, and can be used as a wound dressing or cosmetic sheet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If eggshell membrane is dissolved in thiopropionic acid to produce film-like or sheet-like structure, then the membrane can be shaped into wound dressing forms, but the natural network structure is lost resulting in insufficient moisture retention and air permeability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilm-like or sheet-like structureVSAvoidmoisture retention and air permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and structural parameters of the eggshell membrane by forming nanofibers through electrospinning, maintaining the natural network structure while achieving film-like or sheet-like configurations. This preserves the moisture retention and air permeability properties that were lost in conventional dissolution methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining eggshell membrane components with natural fibers or other biocompatible materials in a nanofiber matrix. This composite approach maintains the beneficial properties of the eggshell membrane while providing structural integrity and enhanced functionality for wound dressing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If extractable eggshell membrane is used directly, then the natural network structure and biological properties are preserved, but the size varies with egg size and the shape cannot be adjusted to match wound portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural network structure and biological propertiesVSAvoidsize and shape adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the eggshell membrane into nanoscale fiber components that can be reassembled into various configurations. By breaking down the membrane into nanofibers and then forming them into customizable sheets or films, the invention achieves both preservation of natural properties and adaptability to different wound sizes and shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional sheet extraction to three-dimensional nanofiber network construction. This dimensional transformation allows the eggshell membrane components to be assembled into flexible configurations that can adapt to various wound geometries while maintaining the natural network structure at the nanoscale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If fiber treatment agent is formed from eggshell membrane powder, then fabric can be produced, but the quality is insufficient to imitate eggshell membrane structure and the content cannot be easily raised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric productionVSAvoidstructure imitation quality and membrane content

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical fiber processing methods with electrospinning technology. This substitution enables precise control over fiber diameter, distribution, and network structure at the nanoscale, achieving superior structural imitation of natural eggshell membrane while maintaining high productivity through continuous production processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 fiber assembly achieves sufficient moisture retention, air permeability, and adherence to skin, while the polyphenols provide antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidative effects, and the method allows for a flexible shape and area, overcoming the limitations of varying eggshell membrane sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a spinning is performed using a solution containing an eggshell membrane component by employing an electrospinning method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrospinning: Electrohydrodynamics

Implementation Method 2

Water resistance may be also given to the fiber assembly when the polyphenols form a complex with the eggshell membrane component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS7767297B2Fiber, fiber assembly, and fiber producing method

Publication Date: 2010.08.03 BIOVOTEC AS

AI summary

A fiber containing an eggshell membrane component. The fiber is produced by spinning using a solution containing the eggshell membrane component by employing an electrospinning method. A fiber assembly formed from the fiber obtained by employing the electrospinning method imitates a natural eggshell membrane, whereby sufficient air permeability is exhibited. Since the fiber assembly is also excellent in adherence to skin tissue of a human body and stypticity, the fiber assembly may be preferably used as a wound dressing or a cosmetic sheet.