Epoxide-Crosslinked Animal Ligament for Toxicity-Free Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating torn ligaments, including transplantation and synthetic polymer implants, face issues such as poor healing, complications, antigen rejection, and toxicity, leading to inadequate long-term mechanical strength and stability.
Innovation Solution
A biological artificial ligament is developed using animal ligament or tendon tissues crosslinked with non-toxic fixatives like epoxides, treated to minimize antigens, and coated with a polypeptide or osamine-containing polysaccharide to enhance biocompatibility and regeneration, incorporating a specific polypeptide and glucosaminoglycan for growth factor adhesion and differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If glutaraldehyde is used to crosslink and fix animal ligament or tendon tissues, then the resistance to degradation is improved, but toxic aldehyde compounds are released causing harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the crosslinking agent from glutaraldehyde (aldehyde) to epoxide compounds. This parameter change eliminates the release of toxic aldehyde compounds while maintaining the crosslinking and fixation function, thereby resolving the contradiction between degradation resistance and toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful degradation process into a beneficial one by using epoxide crosslinking. The degradation products are non-toxic diols and polyols that can be metabolized by the body, transforming what would be a harmful release of toxins into a safe metabolic pathway.
2Strength
If antigens are not removed from animal ligament or tendon tissues, then the structural integrity is maintained, but chronic rejection occurs due to immune response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes antigens from the animal ligament or tendon tissues through specific treatment processes. This extraction eliminates the harmful immune response that would cause chronic rejection, while the crosslinked structure maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary treatment process that modifies the tissue structure to remove antigens while preserving the mechanical properties. This intermediary step acts as a mediator between the natural tissue structure and the implanted material, eliminating immunogenicity without compromising strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple freezing and fixation methods are used for animal tissues, then the preparation process is simplified, but the mechanical strength is insufficient due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by crosslinking the animal ligament or tendon tissues with epoxide compounds. This composite approach combines the biocompatibility of natural tissues with the enhanced mechanical strength and degradation resistance provided by the crosslinked network, overcoming the limitations of simple freezing and fixation.
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 solution provides a stable, non-toxic, and biocompatible artificial ligament with enhanced mechanical strength and regenerative support, minimizing immune rejection and promoting synchronized tissue degradation and regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinking and fixation with a fixative is required... When an epoxide is utilized, for example, proteins are crosslinked through a ring opening reaction of the epoxide
Implementation Method 2
proteins are crosslinked through a ring opening reaction of the epoxide, and reverse ring closure to form the epoxide back does not readily occur
Implementation Method 3
An active coating is added bonding to the surface of the substrate, the active coating contains active components, such as a polypeptide or osamine-containing polysaccharide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Prosthesis for implantation into a human body is made by a method comprising the steps of providing a natural animal ligament or tendon that has a substrate, crosslinking and fixing the substrate, removing antigens from the substrate, tanning the substrate to improve its mechanical properties, and coupling an active layer to the substrate.