Biocompatible Tissue Graft with Hydrogel Coating for Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biologic tissue grafts used for hernia repairs suffer from premature resorption and loss of mechanical strength, leading to repair failures and high recurrence rates, due to unknown mechanisms involving patient and surgical factors, and existing cross-linking methods can alter the extracellular matrix structure, causing adverse reactions.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible tissue graft with a bulk graft composed of biologic or biologic-synthetic composite materials coated with a hydrogel formed by cross-linking hydroxyphenyl-substituted hyaluronan (HPS-HA) or hydroxyphenyl-substituted collagen (HPS-C), which improves durability and reduces resorption by controlling the rate of graft resorption and coating persistence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing cross-linking methods are used to strengthen biologic grafts, then mechanical strength is improved, but extracellular matrix structure is altered causing adverse reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of cross-linking by using genipin instead of traditional glutaraldehyde or carbodiimide methods. Genipin cross-links collagen at physiological pH without requiring harsh chemicals, maintaining the natural ECM structure while providing adequate mechanical strength. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving strength improvement without the adverse reactions caused by traditional cross-linking agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a biodegradable cross-linking agent (genipin) that provides temporary structural support during the critical healing period, then gradually degrades as host tissue integrates. This approach allows the graft to achieve mechanical strength when needed, then safely resorb without permanent foreign body presence, resolving the contradiction between strength and adverse reactions.
2Reliability
If biologic grafts are used for hernia repair, then biocompatibility is improved, but premature resorption occurs leading to loss of mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining biologic graft material (for biocompatibility) with a controlled-release drug delivery system containing growth factors or cross-linking agents (for durability). This composite approach allows the graft to maintain biocompatibility while the embedded therapeutic agents prevent premature resorption and extend functional duration, resolving the contradiction between biocompatibility and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cross-linking or growth factor incorporation during graft manufacturing, so that the graft is pre-conditioned to resist premature resorption upon implantation. This preliminary action ensures the graft maintains mechanical strength during the critical early healing period before host tissue integration is complete, resolving the contradiction between biocompatibility and duration of action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If graft resorption rate is increased to promote tissue integration, then cellular infiltration is improved, but mechanical strength is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or staged resorption characteristics where the graft initially maintains structural integrity, then gradually resorbs in a controlled timeline matching the host tissue regeneration rate. This periodic action allows cellular infiltration and integration to occur progressively without sudden loss of mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength by timing the resorption process to coincide with tissue maturation.
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 hydrogel-coated grafts demonstrate improved durability, reduced resorption, and enhanced integration with host tissues, potentially reducing hernia recurrence and healthcare costs, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing cellular infiltration, thus addressing the limitations of existing biologic grafts.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linking of hydroxyphenyl groups of HPS-HA, HPS-C, or both to form dihydroxyphenyl bridges
Implementation Method 2
a coating comprising a hydrogel and being immobilized on the bulk graft at the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
Biocompatible tissue grafts are provided. The biocompatible tissue grafts include a bulk graft including a biocompatible material and having at least a first surface. The biocompatible tissue grafts also include a coating including a hydrogel and being immobilized on the bulk graft at the first surface. The biocompatible material includes at least one of a biologic material or a biologic-synthetic composite material. The hydrogel includes cross-linked hydroxyphenyl-substituted hyaluronan (HPS-HA), cross-linked hydroxyphenyl-substituted collagen (HPS-C), or both. The cross-linked HPS-HA, cross-linked HPS-C, or both have been formed by cross-linking of hydroxyphenyl groups of HPS-HA, HPS-C, or both to form dihydroxyphenyl bridges. Also disclosed are methods for repair of tissue damage in a subject in need thereof. The methods include surgically implanting the biocompatible tissue graft into a site of the tissue damage in the subject.