Injectable Cryogel Scaffolds for Minimally Invasive Tissue Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical implantation of three-dimensional scaffolds is invasive and causes trauma, including pain, bleeding, and bruising, due to the need for incisions and anesthesia.
Innovation Solution
Development of an injectable device comprising a cryogel composition with open interconnected macropores, characterized by shape memory and comprising crosslinked gelatin or alginate polymers, allowing for minimally invasive delivery through a needle, which can be loaded with cells and therapeutics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If surgical implantation of three-dimensional scaffolds is performed, then structural support for tissue regeneration is achieved, but patient trauma including pain, bleeding, and bruising occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold material undergoes a phase transition from solid to gel state, allowing it to be injected through a needle and then revert to its solid structural form at the target site. This parameter change enables minimally invasive delivery while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogel scaffold utilizes phase transition properties to change from a solid macroscopic structure to an injectable gel state, then back to solid form after implantation. This phase transition mechanism resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and minimally invasive delivery.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If large macroscopic scaffolds are delivered through minimally invasive means, then patient trauma is reduced, but maintaining structural integrity during injection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold's physical state is changed from solid to gel during injection, allowing deformation without structural damage. After injection, the parameter reverts to solid state, restoring full structural integrity. This parameter transformation enables both minimally invasive delivery and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold exhibits dynamic properties, being deformable during injection but stable after implantation. This dynamic behavior allows the scaffold to adapt to different mechanical requirements during delivery and functional phases.
3Strength
If preformed macroscopic scaffolds are used, then structural support is optimized, but invasive surgical implantation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold utilizes phase transition between solid and gel states to enable injection through a needle. The preformed macroscopic structure provides optimized structural support, while the phase transition to gel state enables minimally invasive injection, eliminating the need for open surgical implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold is delivered using hydraulic injection through a syringe and needle system. This allows the preformed scaffold to be pushed through a small gauge needle in a minimally invasive manner, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity.
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
Enables the delivery of cells and therapeutics with high precision to target sites with reduced invasiveness, maintaining structural integrity and promoting tissue regeneration while minimizing trauma and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
when an appropriate shear stress is applied, the deformable hydrogel is dramatically and reversibly compressed (up to 90% of its volume) resulting in injectable macroporous preformed scaffolds
Implementation Method 2
wherein said cryogel composition comprises a crosslinked gelatin polymer or a crosslinked alginate polymer
Implementation Method 3
Hydrogels are highly absorbent (they can contain over 99% water) natural or synthetic polymers that possess a degree of flexibility very similar to natural tissue, due to their significant water content
Implementation Method 4
wherein said cryogel composition is characterized by shape memory following deformation by compression through a needle
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
The present application discloses an injectable device comprising a cell-adhesive cryogel composition comprising open interconnected macropores, wherein said cryogel composition comprises at least 75% pores, wherein said cryogel composition is characterized byshape memory following deformation by compression through a needle, wherein said cryogel composition comprises a crosslinked gelatin polymer or a crosslinked alginate polymer, and wherein said cryogel composition comprises a cancer antigen.