Implantable Chamber with Hydrophobic Exterior for Fluid Collection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for using interstitial fluid in medical or veterinary therapy and research are limited by fibrous tissue encapsulation of implanted devices, which hinders effective collection and distribution of this vital fluid for nutrient delivery to target cells.

Innovation Solution

A biocompatible system comprising an accumulation chamber with a liquid permeable filter and a confined flow passageway, along with a liquid transfer pump, is used to collect and distribute autologous interstitial fluid from a collection site to a remote body site, minimizing tissue invasion through a tortuous pathway design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a porous material is used for the accumulation chamber, then tissue in-growth occurs to stabilize the implant, but fibrous tissue encapsulation occurs which hinders fluid collection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidfibrous tissue encapsulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the accumulation chamber. The external surface is made hydrophobic to prevent fibrous tissue encapsulation and fluid collection, while the internal surface maintains porosity for tissue in-growth and stabilization. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between implant stability and prevention of harmful encapsulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The accumulation chamber is constructed using composite materials with differentiated surface treatments. The base material provides structural integrity and porosity, while coating layers with specific surface energies (hydrophobic on exterior, hydrophilic on interior) create the desired tissue interaction patterns. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of tissue in-growth for stability and prevention of fibrous encapsulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the accumulation chamber is made non-porous to prevent tissue invasion, then fluid collection is improved, but the body attempts to extrude the implant through fibrous tissue encapsulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue invasionVSAvoidfibrous tissue encapsulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the accumulation chamber. The external surface is made hydrophobic to prevent fibrous tissue encapsulation and fluid collection, while the internal surface maintains porosity for tissue in-growth and stabilization. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between implant stability and prevention of harmful encapsulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the body's natural response to foreign materials (fibrous tissue formation) from a harmful encapsulation into a beneficial stabilization mechanism. By controlling surface properties, the implant encourages controlled tissue in-growth for stability while preventing uncontrolled fibrous encapsulation through hydrophobic external surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the accumulation chamber allows tissue in-growth for stabilization, then implant reliability improves, but the distance from capillaries increases beyond 50 microns limiting cell survival

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilizationVSAvoiddistance from capillary

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the accumulation chamber. The external surface is made hydrophobic to prevent fibrous tissue encapsulation and fluid collection, while the internal surface maintains porosity for tissue in-growth and stabilization. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between implant stability and prevention of harmful encapsulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This system efficiently collects and delivers interstitial fluid to remote body sites, preventing occlusion by ingrowing tissue and ensuring nutrient supply to cells, thus enhancing therapeutic and research applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one biocompatible, liquid permeable interstitial fluid filter such as a screen, mesh, fabric, and the like

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a liquid transfer pump operably associated with the accumulation chamber to dispense interstitial fluid therefrom to the remote body site through the confined flow passageway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS10342961B2Implantable chamber for collection and supply of interstitial fluid

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 CELL SAFE LIFE SCI LLC

AI summary

A system for redistributing interstitial fluid within a mammal is disclosed. The system comprises an implantable accumulation chamber, a confined flow passageway such as a catheter in communication with the accumulation chamber, and a liquid transfer pump for dispensing accumulated interstitial fluid from the accumulation chamber to a predetermined body site via the confined flow passageway.