Flowable Collagen Dural Graft for Swelling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dural graft materials are difficult to apply in complex areas due to limited pliability and moldability, often cause post-implantation swelling, and require excessive material and time for application, leading to complications such as compression of brain tissue or spinal cord.
Innovation Solution
A flowable collagen graft material composed of a collagen powder and a liquid, providing a gel-like or paste-like consistency for easier application and conformability to anatomical sites, which can be delivered through syringes or manual spreading, and is designed to minimize swelling and reduce material quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid dural grafts (sheets, sponges, nonwoven matrixes) are used, then tensile strength and structural stability are improved, but ease of application and ability to reach damaged areas is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of collagen from solid sheet/sponge form to a flowable paste by controlling viscosity parameters. The paste can be delivered through a syringe and conforms to irregular surfaces, then sets to provide structural support. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy application (flowable state) and structural strength (set state).
Solution Approach 2:
The graft material transitions from a flowable state during application to a set state after implantation. This dynamic property allows the material to be easily applied in a fluid state, then provides structural strength once set, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and tensile strength requirements.
2Strength
If conventional dural grafts are used, then structural support is provided, but post-implantation swelling occurs causing compression of brain tissue or spinal cord
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses cross-linked collagen that has been pre-treated to control its hydration properties. The cross-linking parameter is optimized to provide structural strength while minimizing water absorption and swelling. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural support capability while eliminating the harmful swelling effect.
3Reliability
If conventional dural grafts are used, then dural repair is achieved, but excessive material quantity and application time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention delivers the collagen paste through a syringe using hydraulic principles, allowing precise placement of the material directly at the defect site. This eliminates the need for extensive material application and reduces application time while maintaining effective dural repair. The flowable nature allows the material to be delivered efficiently without requiring excessive quantities.
4Reliability
If synthetic gelatin or polymeric dural sealants are used, then sealing capability is improved, but material swelling and insolubility lead to time-consuming application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite formulation of cross-linked collagen particles suspended in a aqueous vehicle. This composite structure provides both sealing capability (through the collagen network) and flowability (through the liquid vehicle), eliminating the need for time-consuming mixing or hydration at the surgical site. The material is ready-to-use and combines the benefits of synthetic sealants with natural collagen biocompatibility.
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 flowable collagen graft material offers superior access and contact with damaged areas, reduces post-implantation swelling, and simplifies the application process, ensuring a secure and sutureless seal with reduced risk and time, while being fully resorbed over time.
Implementation Method 1
a flowable collagen graft materials for use as a dural graft... comprise a collagen powder and a liquid in an amount effective to impart a flowable consistency... providing a gel-like or paste-like consistency
Data Source
AI summary
Flowable graft materials are provided which comprise collagen powder and a liquid in an amount sufficient to impart a flowable consistency to the material. The graft materials are sufficiently formable and pliable so as to provide both superior contact with and easier access to a surgical site than typical, more rigid grafts such as collagen sheets. These flowable materials may also be in a fluidized, paste-like and/or gel-like state and may be moldable and/or ejectable. The flowable collagen materials reduce and/or eliminate post implantation problems associated with other materials, e.g. synthetic dural sealants (hemostasis products), such as product swelling after application and implantation. The flowable graft materials are particularly useful as a dural graft.