Disposable Hydrogel Compression Assembly for Sterile Scaffold Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogel compression devices are costly, time-consuming, prone to contamination, and risk damaging the final tissue product, limiting production output and quality.
Innovation Solution
A fully disposable system comprising a hydrogel receptacle assembly, piston assembly, and flask for compressing and incubating hydrogel, using disposable components made of lightweight biocompatible materials, ensuring sterility and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable compression devices are used, then initial investment cost is high, but contamination risk and re-sterilization time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a fully disposable compression device where all components (compression element, receptacle, lid, piston) are designed for single-use. This eliminates re-sterilization time and contamination risks associated with reusable devices, while the low cost of disposable components offsets the initial investment concern.
2Force
If traditional compression devices are used, then compression force can be applied, but risk of damaging the graft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression element is designed as a flexible, conformable component that distributes compression force uniformly across the graft surface. The flexible nature allows the compression force to be applied gently and evenly, preventing localized stress concentrations that could damage the delicate graft tissue while still achieving the necessary compression effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a lid that creates a contained compression chamber, cushioning and distributing the compression force before it reaches the graft. This pre-distribution mechanism prevents direct, concentrated force application that could damage the graft while ensuring uniform compression throughout.
3Productivity
If reusable devices are used, then equipment cost is high, but production output is limited by cleaning and sterilization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By making the entire compression device disposable, the patent eliminates the time-consuming cleaning and sterilization processes required for reusable equipment. Each device can be immediately prepared for use after unpacking, significantly increasing production output and throughput while reducing operational complexity.
4Reliability
If disposable components are used, then contamination risk is reduced, but component complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable system is divided into distinct, simple functional components (receptacle, lid, piston, compression element) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function with minimal complexity, while the overall system achieves high sterility through the disposable nature of all parts.
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 system reduces costs, minimizes contamination, and enhances production output by eliminating the need for re-sterilization, while maintaining the quality and scalability of the tissue product.
Implementation Method 1
the piston frame is configured to press the piston along the compression direction against the hydrogel layer residing in the graft frame so as to compress the hydrogel layer between the piston and the membrane bottom of the graft frame
Implementation Method 2
A hydrogel is a 3D network of natural or synthetic hydrophilic polymers that is able to absorb a large amount of water, while maintaining its structure, mainly due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains
Implementation Method 3
mainly due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains
Implementation Method 4
in the process of 3D tissue engineering, hydrogels are often used... casting, polymerizing and compressing a hydrogel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fully disposable system for casting, polymerizing and compressing a hydrogel. The invention further relates to a method for producing a scaffold for the generation of artificial tissue products using said disposable system.