Electrophoretic Decellularization Device for Tissue Scaffolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tissue engineering face challenges in developing biocompatible, immunogenicity-low, structurally sound, and biomechanically intact scaffolds for muscle, tissue, or organ regeneration, particularly in achieving vascular architecture and blood flow support, which are essential for large-volume muscle, tissue, and organ regeneration.
Innovation Solution
An electrophoretic decellularization device with electrodes and a perfusion pump is used to remove cellular material from tissues, leaving an extracellular matrix (ECM) that can be repopulated with cells, utilizing a decellularization composition buffered to a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 and applying an electric potential across electrodes to facilitate efficient decellularization and regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic biochemical polymer scaffolds are used for tissue engineering, then structural integrity and biomechanical properties can be achieved, but biocompatibility and low immunogenicity become difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of scaffold material from synthetic polymers to naturally-derived extracellular matrix (ECM). This parameter change transforms the material's biological properties, achieving both biocompatibility and low immunogenicity while maintaining structural integrity through the native ECM architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the natural extracellular matrix structure and composition to create a scaffold that mimics the body's own tissue architecture. By using decellularized ECM, the scaffold replicates natural biochemical and biomechanical properties, ensuring biocompatibility while avoiding the immunogenicity associated with synthetic materials.
2Volume of moving object
If large volumes of tissue are regenerated, then significant functional restoration is achieved, but vascular architecture and blood flow support become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the vascular architecture within the ECM scaffold before tissue implantation. The decellularization process preserves the native vascular network structure, creating a pre-established framework that guides subsequent blood vessel formation and ensures reliable blood flow support as the tissue regenerates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous architecture of the decellularized ECM to facilitate vascularization. The preserved vascular channels and porous structure provide pathways for blood vessel ingrowth and nutrient diffusion, enabling reliable vascular support even in large-volume regenerated tissues.
3Loss of substance
If conventional decellularization methods are used, then cellular material is removed from tissue, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical and chemical decellularization methods with electrophoretic decellularization. By applying an electric field, cellular material is rapidly removed through electrophoretic migration, significantly reducing decellularization time while effectively clearing the tissue of cellular components to produce a clean ECM scaffold.
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 decellularizes tissues, producing an ECM that supports muscle regeneration by providing biomechanical integrity, vascular architecture, and reducing immunogenicity, enabling the regeneration of functional skeletal muscle tissue and organs.
Implementation Method 1
electrophoretic decellularization device with electrodes and a perfusion pump is used to remove cellular material from tissues
Data Source
AI summary
A method of decellularizing a tissue includes disposing the tissue within a device, the device. The device includes a container, first and second electrodes disposed within the container and defining a space between the first and second electrodes to receive the tissue, a perfusion pump, and a conduit connected to the perfusion pump to transport a decellularization composition from the pump into the tissue. The method further includes disposing the decellularization composition within the container to surround the tissue and contact the first and second electrodes, applying an electric potential across the first and second electrodes, and perfusing the decullarization composition into the tissue.