Nanofiber structures and methods of use thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional two-dimensional electrospun nanofiber mats have limited porosity and inefficiencies in production, making them unsuitable for effective cell infiltration and nutrient diffusion, which hinders their application in regenerative medicine.
Innovation Solution
The development of expanded electrospun nanofiber structures via a modified gas-foaming technique, which increases porosity while maintaining nanotopographic cues, and can be coated with materials like gelatin to enhance water absorption and used for bleeding inhibition and wound healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional two-dimensional electrospun nanofiber mats are used, then production is simpler, but porosity is limited and cell infiltration is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms traditional two-dimensional nanofiber mats into three-dimensional expanded nanofiber structures by introducing a vertical dimension through controlled expansion processes. This dimensional transition creates interconnected pores and channels that significantly increase porosity while maintaining nanotopographic features, enabling efficient cell infiltration and nutrient diffusion without complicating the manufacturing process
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional two-dimensional electrospun nanofiber mats are used, then manufacturing is easier, but cell infiltration and nutrient diffusion are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By expanding the flat nanofiber mat into a three-dimensional porous structure, the patent creates multiple pathways for cell migration and nutrient transport. The expansion process maintains the nanoscale fiber diameter and topographic cues while introducing vertical connectivity, thereby enhancing biological functionality without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled pore formation through expansion techniques to create a hierarchical porous structure. The resulting material contains both nanoscale pores within the fiber matrix and microscale channels between fibers, facilitating efficient mass transport and cell infiltration while preserving the ease of electrospinning manufacturing process
3Quantity of substance
If nanofiber structures are expanded via gas bubbles, then porosity increases, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gas bubbles as an intermediary agent to facilitate pore formation during the expansion process. The gas bubbles serve as temporary templates that create pores when introduced into the nanofiber mat, and are subsequently removed or stabilized, achieving high porosity through a relatively simple one-step expansion procedure rather than complex multi-stage manufacturing
4Quantity of substance
If coating material like gelatin is added to enhance water absorption, then water absorption increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nanofiber mat formation and hydrophilic coating steps into an integrated process where gelatin or other hydrophilic materials are applied during or immediately after the electrospinning process. This merging of steps allows the coating to be deposited uniformly on the nanofiber surface, enhancing water absorption capability while minimizing additional manufacturing complexity through process integration
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 expanded nanofiber structures demonstrate superior properties in inhibiting bleeding and promoting tissue regeneration, with enhanced water absorption and mechanical properties, outperforming traditional methods in both laboratory and animal studies.
Implementation Method 1
the nanofiber structure has been expanded by exposure to gas bubbles
Implementation Method 2
The gas bubbles may be generated by a chemical reaction (e.g., the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride)
Implementation Method 3
The nanofiber structure may comprise a coating of a material that enhances water absorption, such as gelatin. In a particular embodiment, the coating material is a hydrogel
Data Source
AI summary
Coated and expanded, nanofiber structures are provided and methods of use thereof.