Human Umbilical Cord Meningeal Patches for Spinal Tethering Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical detethering procedures for spinal cord tethering are often ineffective and require repeated interventions due to recurrent tethering, posing significant clinical challenges and risks.

Innovation Solution

Implantation of a meningeal patch formed from the outer sheath of a human umbilical cord (HUC) to cover spinal defects, providing a watertight barrier and promoting regeneration of meningeal layers, thereby preventing spinal cord tethering and improving neural tissue health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical detethering procedures are performed to free the spinal cord, then symptoms are temporarily relieved, but tethering recurs requiring repeated interventions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of detetheringVSAvoidduration of untethered state

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implanting a barrier membrane during the initial detethering surgery to prevent future tethering recurrence. The membrane is placed beforehand to block adhesions before they can form, eliminating the need for repeated interventions and providing long-term prevention of tethering recurrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If repeated detethering procedures are performed to maintain spinal cord freedom, then tethering is temporarily relieved, but patient undergoes multiple surgeries with associated risks and costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of surgical interventionsVSAvoidlong-term prevention of tethering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier membrane performs self-service by automatically preventing adhesions and tethering recurrence without requiring additional surgical interventions. The implanted membrane continuously maintains its barrier function, allowing the spinal cord to remain untethered without needing repeated surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional surgical procedures are used to detether the spinal cord, then the spinal cord is freed initially, but adhesions reform causing tethering to recur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion formationVSAvoidprevention of tethering recurrence

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier membrane acts as an intermediary between the spinal cord and surrounding tissues, preventing direct contact that would lead to adhesion formation. This physical barrier eliminates the harmful interaction between the spinal cord and adjacent structures, thereby preventing tethering recurrence while allowing the spinal cord to remain free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12419995B2Meningeal repair using human umbilical cord patches

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method for performing meningeal repair includes closing an open meningeal defect with a human umbilical cord meningeal patch.