Encapsulating Chamber Membrane for Secreting Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bioartificial organs implanted in the body face challenges with mechanical strength and the ability to contain a large number of cells for prolonged physiological effects, as they are prone to tearing due to patient movements, and increasing membrane thickness reduces diffusion of therapeutic molecules.
Innovation Solution
A semi-permeable membrane comprising a layer of porous biocompatible polymer and a layer of non-woven biocompatible polymer, with the non-woven layer positioned between the porous layers to enhance mechanical strength and prevent cell aggregation, while maintaining molecular diffusion and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If membrane thickness is increased to improve mechanical strength, then mechanical resistance is improved, but diffusion of therapeutic molecules is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a porous polymer layer with a non-woven polymer layer to create a multi-layer membrane structure. The porous layer provides molecular diffusion pathways while the non-woven layer provides mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between mechanical resistance and diffusion efficiency without increasing overall membrane thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is segmented into distinct functional layers: a porous polymer layer optimized for molecular diffusion and a non-woven polymer layer optimized for mechanical support. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its primary function, enabling the membrane to provide both adequate mechanical strength and efficient diffusion simultaneously.
2Reliability
If membrane thickness is increased to prevent tearing, then reliability is improved, but diffusion efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite membrane structure uses a non-woven polymer layer to provide tearing resistance and reliability, while the porous polymer layer maintains thin dimensions optimized for diffusion efficiency. This composite approach prevents tearing without compromising diffusion productivity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If cells are contained in larger quantities for prolonged effects, then duration of action is improved, but cell aggregation occurs reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The non-woven polymer layer provides localized mechanical support and spatial distribution characteristics that prevent cell aggregation. This creates a uniform local environment throughout the membrane structure, ensuring stable cell distribution even when large quantities of cells are contained for prolonged physiological effects.
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 membrane design provides improved mechanical resistance and prolonged physiological effects by allowing the diffusion of small molecules like insulin and preventing immune system effector molecules, while maintaining the strength and integrity of the bioartificial organ.
Implementation Method 1
Such a membrane is termed 'semi-permeable' when it allows the diffusion of the substances of therapeutic interest out of the encapsulating chamber to the target cells in the patient's body
Implementation Method 2
being impermeable to the antibodies and the cells of the patient's immune system, thus preventing them from directly attaching the cells producing the substance(s) of therapeutic interest
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an encapsulating chamber for secreting cells, comprising a closed shell made of a semi-permeable membrane, said membrane comprising at least one layer of porous biocompatible polymer, and one layer of non-woven biocompatible polymer.