Fibrinogen Matrix for Wound Healing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current extracellular matrix compositions for treating full thickness skin loss wounds, such as pressure ulcers and diabetic ulcers, are inadequate as they often result in scarring and are prone to infection due to limited endothelial cell adhesion and stability, leading to slow healing and high treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A process for preparing an extracellular matrix composition involving mixing fibrinogen with a coagulating agent and a bulking agent, followed by cross-linking and washing to create a stable, porous matrix that promotes endothelial cell adhesion and angiogenesis, using thrombin as a coagulating agent and glutaraldehyde for cross-linking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collagen-based dermal scaffold compositions are used to support wound healing, then cellular adhesion is provided and structural support is maintained, but endothelial cell adhesion is limited and the material is prone to rapid proteolytic degradation, leading to slow healing and high treatment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting collagen with fibrinogen as the primary matrix component. Fibrinogen offers improved resistance to proteolytic degradation while maintaining cellular adhesion properties, directly addressing the reliability and duration issues with collagen-based scaffolds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining fibrinogen with cross-linking agents (such as genipin or EDC/NHS chemistry) to form a stable extracellular matrix composition. This composite approach enhances both the structural integrity and biological functionality of the scaffold, improving wound healing success while maintaining long-term stability
2Productivity
If split thickness skin grafts are used to cover large wounds, then immediate skin coverage is achieved, but the patient suffers further tissue injury and severe scarring results due to lack of dermal regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dermal scaffold composition before skin grafting to prepare the wound bed in advance. This preliminary action creates an optimal environment for dermal regeneration and improves graft take, allowing for faster coverage without the need for harsh split thickness harvesting that causes scarring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a biodegradable fibrinogen-based scaffold that temporarily provides structural support and promotes healing, then naturally degrades as native tissue regenerates. This disposable scaffold eliminates the need for permanent implants and avoids the scarring associated with traditional grafting methods
3Loss of time
If cultured keratinocytes are applied to wounds without adequate dermis, then skin coverage is achieved after one month preparation, but serious long-term scarring results due to insufficient dermal support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fibrinogen-based dermal scaffold as an intermediary layer between the wound bed and cultured keratinocytes. This intermediary provides the necessary dermal support structure that enables successful keratinocyte attachment and long-term healing without scarring, reducing the preparation time bottleneck
4Strength
If collagen-based dermal scaffolds are used to reduce wound contraction and scarring, then structural support is provided, but the material is rapidly degraded by proteases in the wound environment, leading to infection and graft failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from collagen to fibrinogen, which has inherently greater resistance to proteolytic degradation. This parameter change maintains structural support rigidity while extending the functional duration of the scaffold in the protease-rich wound environment, preventing infection and graft failure
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 resulting matrix composition enhances wound healing by improving endothelial cell migration and integration, reducing scarring, and providing a more stable and biocompatible scaffold for tissue regeneration, potentially leading to faster and more effective wound closure compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
mixing an aqueous solution of fibrinogen with a coagulating agent
Implementation Method 2
incubating the mixture obtained in step (a) with a cross-linking agent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for preparing an extracellular matrix composition comprising cross-linked fibrinogen or a derivative thereof, to an extracellular matrix composition obtained by the process and to the use of the composition in wound healing, tissue regeneration or as a tissue engineering scaffold.