Endocardial Substrate for Cardiomyocyte Regeneration
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of skeletal muscle in cardiomyoplasty is not ideal due to its fatigue-prone nature, which differs significantly from cardiac muscle tissue, leading to inefficient cardiac output support in weakened or damaged hearts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the implantation of a biocompatible substrate within the heart to stimulate the growth of new contractile heart muscle cells (cardiomyocyte cells) by forming and harvesting trabecular fibers that include cardiomyocyte cells, using a substrate anchored to the endocardium and an electrode to produce electrical potential, overcoming the limitations of skeletal muscle tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skeletal muscle tissue is used in cardiomyoplasty, then the procedure can be performed with available muscle tissue, but the muscle tissue fatigues quickly and does not provide sustained cardiac output support
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of muscle tissue type from skeletal to cardiac by using endocardial cells to form trabecular fibers that differentiate into cardiomyocytes. This parameter change transforms the tissue's contractile properties to match native heart muscle, providing sustained, non-fatigable cardiac output support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary substrate implanted in the right ventricle that serves as a scaffold for endocardial cells to form trabecular fibers. This intermediary structure mediates the transformation of existing endocardial tissue into functional cardiomyocyte tissue that can provide reliable, sustained cardiac support.
2Power
If skeletal muscle is used to assist heart contraction, then immediate mechanical support is provided, but the fundamental differences between skeletal and cardiac muscle lead to inefficient and unsustainable cardiac output
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the tissue type parameter from skeletal to cardiac muscle through in situ differentiation. The trabecular fibers formed from endocardial cells on the substrate develop cardiac-specific contractile properties, ensuring both adequate power for cardiac output assistance and full adaptability to cardiac function.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted substrate enables the heart's own endocardial cells to transform into cardiomyocytes that serve the heart's function. This self-service approach creates tissue that is inherently compatible with cardiac physiology, providing both necessary power and perfect adaptability.
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
This approach generates new cardiac muscle tissue that can improve cardiac output without the fatigue issues associated with skeletal muscle, providing a more effective and sustainable solution for heart muscle regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining the first portion of the substrate in contact with the endocardium for a time at least sufficient to form trabecular fibers extending between the endocardium and the second portion of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The substrate further includes an electrode, wherein the electrode is not in physical contact with the endocardium... producing an electrical potential between the electrode and the endocardium
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing cardiomyocyte cells including implanting a substrate within a heart such that a first portion of the substrate is in physical contact with an endocardium and a second portion of the substrate is not in contact with the endocardium, maintaining the first portion of the substrate in contact with the endocardium for a time at least sufficient to form trabecular fibers extending between the endocardium and the second portion of the substrate, cutting away the trabecular fibers from the endocardium, cutting away the trabecular fibers from the substrate, and removing the trabecular fibers from the heart, wherein the trabecular fibers include cardiomyocyte cells.