Implanted Silicone Tube for Minimally Invasive Functional Cell Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for collecting functional cells, such as stem cells, are invasive and pose risks, making them inefficient and costly, particularly for patients in need of these cells for treating intractable diseases.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive technique involving the implantation of biologically hypoallergenic silicone tubes filled with HMGB1, hyaluronic acid, or skin extracts under the skin, which mobilize and accumulate functional cells, allowing for their efficient collection without the need for invasive bone marrow harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional bone marrow harvesting methods are used, then functional cells can be collected, but the procedure becomes highly invasive and painful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (collection device implanted in bone marrow cavity) that mediates between the bone marrow and the external collection system. This intermediary approach allows cell collection without direct needle insertion into the bone marrow, thereby reducing invasiveness and pain while still enabling functional cell collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by first implanting a collection device into the bone marrow cavity before actual cell collection. This preliminary implantation creates a minimally invasive access point that can be used for repeated collections, avoiding the need for repeated invasive needle insertions
2Quantity of substance
If conventional bone marrow harvesting methods are used, then functional cells can be collected, but the risk of infection and myelitis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device acts as a sterile intermediary barrier between the external environment and the bone marrow cavity. This intermediary structure maintains sterile conditions during cell collection, eliminating the risk of intramedullary infection and myelitis associated with direct needle insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing a sterile, sealed collection device that prevents contamination before it can occur. The device is implanted under sterile conditions and maintains a closed system during cell collection, preemptively preventing infection risks
3Quantity of substance
If G-CSF is used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells, then peripheral blood stem cells can be collected, but the economic burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dependency on expensive G-CSF mobilization by directly accessing the bone marrow cavity where stem cells naturally reside. This extraction approach eliminates the need for costly pharmacological mobilization while still enabling collection of functional cells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an alternative pathway for cell collection that copies the natural presence of stem cells in bone marrow, rather than relying on G-CSF-induced mobilization to peripheral blood. This copying approach provides a cost-effective alternative to the expensive G-CSF method
4Quantity of substance
If surgical harvest of peripheral tissues is used, then mesenchymal stem cells can be isolated, but the invasiveness and surgical risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device serves as a minimally invasive intermediary that provides access to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells without requiring surgical harvest of peripheral tissues. This intermediary approach eliminates surgical risks while enabling mesenchymal stem cell isolation
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 method enables the high-efficiency collection of functional cells, including mesenchymal stem cells capable of differentiating into various tissues, reducing the invasiveness and cost associated with traditional harvesting methods.
Implementation Method 1
cylindrical tubes... were filled with each of HMGB1, hyaluronic acid, phosphate buffer, or such, and then implanted under the dorsal skin... cells mobilized and accumulated in the tubes were collected
Data Source
AI summary
Biologically low invasive vessels are filled with biological factors that have the activity of mobilizing specific functional cells in the body. The vessels are indwelled in the body. After specific functional cells are mobilized into the vessels, the vessels are removed from the body to collect functional cell populations mobilized to the vessels. Alternatively, the cells are directly collected from the vessels indwelled in the body.