Laminated Collagen Nerve Guide with NDGA Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomedical materials for medical constructs, such as nerve guides and implants, lack sufficient mechanical strength and flexibility to effectively support nerve repair and tissue reinforcement while maintaining biocompatibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The development of collagen constructs with multiple laminated layers, including a repeating pattern of collagen fibers sandwiched between collagen film layers, cross-linked with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), which are wound onto a support member with specific pitches and angles to create a strong yet flexible medical device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If collagen fibers are wound with multiple laminated layers to enhance mechanical strength, then the construct achieves sufficient tensile strength and structural integrity, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen construct is divided into multiple laminated layers with different fiber orientations (0°, 45°, 90°) to distribute mechanical loads effectively. Each layer contributes specific strength properties, achieving high overall tensile strength while maintaining manageable layer-by-layer manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The winding process uses periodic pitch variations and repeating fiber angle patterns (0°, 45°, 90° sequence) to create consistent laminated structures. This periodic approach standardizes the manufacturing process, reducing complexity through repetition while building cumulative strength across layers
2Strength
If collagen fibers are wound with specific pitches and angles to optimize mechanical properties, then the construct achieves enhanced strength and flexibility, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different fiber angles (0°, 45°, 90°) are assigned to different layers to optimize local mechanical properties for specific load directions. This local differentiation achieves comprehensive strength while using simple, repeatable winding patterns for each layer
Solution Approach 2:
The winding pitch and fiber angles are systematically varied across layers (0° for circumferential strength, 45° for diagonal reinforcement, 90° for longitudinal strength) to achieve optimal mechanical properties through parameter optimization rather than extreme precision in single parameters
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple collagen film layers are applied to sandwich the collagen fibers, then the construct achieves improved structural integrity and surface smoothness, but the manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple collagen film layers are merged to sandwich and bind the collagen fiber layers together, creating a unified laminated structure. This merging approach improves structural integrity by integrating films and fibers into a single composite construct
Solution Approach 2:
Collagen films are applied in advance to wrap and secure the wound collagen fibers before final crosslinking. This preliminary action stabilizes the fiber architecture early in the process, preventing structural collapse and reducing the need for time-consuming adjustments later
4Strength
If collagen constructs are cross-linked with NDGA to enhance mechanical strength, then the construct achieves improved tensile strength and stability, but the biocompatibility concerns may increase due to chemical crosslinking
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinking process uses controlled parameters (NDGA concentration, treatment time, temperature) to achieve sufficient tensile strength while minimizing residual chemicals. By optimizing these parameters, the construct attains mechanical strength close to natural tendon (91 MPa) while maintaining biocompatibility for nerve repair applications
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 resulting collagen constructs exhibit enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity, suitable for nerve guides and implants, providing effective support for nerve repair and tissue reinforcement while maintaining biocompatibility and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The collagen film can be applied as a collagen gel to and the tube can be cross-linked with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) to create a polymerized collagen tube.
Implementation Method 2
placing a liquid or gel comprising soluble collagen onto the at least one wound collagen fiber during or after the winding step so that the elongate construct is wetted and/or so that the outer surface is covered in a collagen film, when the soluble collagen is dry.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes methods of winding collagen fiber to make medical constructs and related collagen fiber tube and patch devices.