Hybrid-Scale Fiber Matrix With Macro- and Micropores for Wound Healing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical meshes and materials face issues such as excessive fibrosis, scarification, immune reactions, limited mechanical strength, poor tissue integration, and biocompatibility, leading to complications like post-operative pain, adhesions, and infections.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional electrospun hybrid-scale fiber matrix with macro and micro pores, composed of flexible electrospun fibers made from different bioresorbable polymers, designed to promote cellular and tissue ingrowth, manage exudate, and facilitate application on uneven surfaces, featuring controlled degradation and optimized physical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If higher fiber densities are used to improve mechanical strength, then tensile strength and tear resistance are improved, but effective cellular and tissue ingrowth is decreased and biocompatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of high fiber density for mechanical strength and regions of low fiber density for tissue ingrowth. The non-uniform fiber distribution allows different areas of the mesh to have optimized properties: stronger regions provide structural support while porous regions facilitate cellular penetration and tissue integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining fibers of different diameters (nanofibers and microfibers) and different material compositions within the same mesh structure. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve high mechanical strength from the microfiber network and high biocompatibility from the nanofiber porous structure.
2Strength
If synthetic surgical meshes are used to improve mechanical strength, then structural support is improved, but excessive fibrosis and scarification occur leading to poor tissue integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials with controlled pore sizes and distributions that mimic the natural extracellular matrix. The porous structure allows cells to penetrate and grow through the mesh, promoting tissue integration rather than fibrosis. The pore architecture facilitates nutrient transport and waste removal, creating a biocompatible environment that reduces scarification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling fiber diameter, pore size, porosity, and material composition to optimize both mechanical strength and biocompatibility. By adjusting these parameters, the mesh can provide structural support while simultaneously promoting tissue integration and minimizing fibrotic responses.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biologic materials are used to improve biocompatibility, then tissue integration is enhanced, but strong immune reactions and aberrant tissue ingrowth occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining synthetic and biologic components to achieve balanced biocompatibility. The synthetic portion provides structural integrity and controlled degradation, while the biologic portion enhances cell adhesion and tissue integration. This composite approach mitigates the strong immune reactions associated with pure biologic materials while maintaining tissue compatibility.
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 matrix enhances biocompatibility, supports tissue integration, reduces inflammation, and improves healing outcomes by allowing fluid drainage and cellular growth, while maintaining mechanical strength and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible electrospun fiber network further comprising one or more macro-scale pores and one or more micro-scale pores, the one or more macro-scale pores comprising an opening of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, and the one or more micro-scale pores comprising an opening with areas of about 10 μm2 to about 10,000 μm2
Implementation Method 2
the first set of electrospun fibers and the second set of electrospun fibers are configured to degrade after application to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a non-woven hybrid-scale fiber matrix sheet which can be used to improve wound healing. The non-woven hybrid-scale fiber matrix sheet may be both microporous, due to the hybrid-scale fiber matrix, as well as macroporous through the addition of cuts or perforations in the hybrid-scale fiber matrix sheet. The micro and macroporous sheet can improve biological healing at a wound site.