Immunoisolating Device for Controlled Hormone Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for premature ovarian failure (POF) in cancer survivors, such as hormone replacement therapy, deliver unregulated estrogen levels, leading to adverse effects, and there is a lack of alternative therapies for young girls, particularly those undergoing cancer treatment, which disrupts normal development and increases cancer and thrombotic risks.
Innovation Solution
A bioengineered matrix using synthetic hydrogels, like fibrin and poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG), creates an immunoisolating device that supports ovarian follicle survival and function, providing natural estrogen and progesterone levels, preventing immune rejection and mimicking the extracellular matrix to promote normal physiological regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hormone replacement therapy is used to treat premature ovarian failure, then estrogen levels are delivered to patients, but unregulated estrogen levels cause adverse effects including cancer and thrombotic risks
Solution Approach 1:
An immunoisolating device serves as an intermediary between the ovarian cells and the host immune system, allowing controlled delivery of estrogen while protecting the cells from immune rejection. The device enables sustained, physiologic-level hormone delivery without the unregulated effects of traditional therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the delivery parameter from unregulated synthetic hormone administration to controlled, physiologic-level hormone delivery through immunoisolated cells. This allows estrogen levels to fluctuate naturally rather than being delivered at fixed, potentially harmful doses.
2Quantity of substance
If synthetic hormones are administered to replace ovarian function, then hormone deficiency is treated, but normal physiological regulation and feedback mechanisms are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The immunoisolated ovarian cells continue to function autonomously within the device, self-regulating hormone production in response to host physiological signals. This maintains the natural feedback loops between ovaries and the brain, allowing the system to adapt to changing physiological needs without external intervention.
3Reliability
If traditional immunoisolating devices are used, then immune rejection is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The immunoisolating device uses a thin, flexible membrane that provides immune protection while maintaining simplicity in structure. This approach prevents immune rejection without requiring complex multi-component systems, making the device more manufacturable and easier to implant.
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 immunoisolating device allows for the sustained production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, promoting normal development and reducing the risks associated with synthetic hormone therapies, thereby supporting healthy growth and puberty in young girls with POF.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is configured to allow the passage of hormones, metabolites, and nutrients, while preventing the passage of immune cells and proteins
Implementation Method 2
synthetic hydrogels, like fibrin and poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG), creates an immunoisolating device that supports ovarian follicle survival and function
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is technology relating to immunoisolation of cells and tissues, including, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, and kits for encapsulating cells and/or tissues within an immunoisolating device to protect the cells/or tissues from host immune rejection.