Lung Regeneration Hydrogel Composition for Minimally Invasive Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for emphysema, such as lung transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery, are invasive and do not effectively regenerate lost lung tissue, leading to a need for minimally invasive and more effective treatment options.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the administration of a composition containing a scaffold-forming material, endothelial cells, and pneumocytes, using click chemistry to form a hydrogel scaffold for lung tissue regeneration, which can be delivered via airways or intravenously, and includes biopolymers and polysaccharide microspheres for controlled degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lung transplantation or lung volume reduction surgery is performed, then lung function can be improved, but the treatment becomes invasive with high risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydrogel scaffold as an intermediary carrier to deliver living cells (pneumocytes and endothelial cells) directly to the lung tissue. This intermediary system enables tissue regeneration without requiring invasive surgical procedures like transplantation or volume reduction surgery, thus improving lung function while avoiding high surgical risks
Solution Approach 2:
The delivered cells autonomously differentiate and integrate into the lung tissue to regenerate functional alveolar structures. The cells self-organize to form new air sacs and vascular networks, eliminating the need for complex surgical intervention while achieving tissue repair
2Reliability
If existing surgical procedures are used to treat emphysema, then lung volume can be reduced, but tissue regeneration does not occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment from mechanical volume reduction to biological regeneration. By introducing living cells that can proliferate and differentiate, the treatment transforms the lost tissue parameter from permanent loss to potential regeneration, while still achieving disease management through functional tissue restoration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite delivery system comprising hydrogel scaffold, pneumocytes, and endothelial cells. This composite material combination enables simultaneous structural support (hydrogel) and biological regeneration (cells), achieving both disease management and tissue regeneration that neither component could achieve alone
3Manufacturing precision
If a scaffold is formed using click chemistry with biopolymers and polysaccharide microspheres, then alveolus-like structures can be generated, but the composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold is segmented into distinct functional components: biopolymer matrix providing structural framework, polysaccharide microspheres creating alveolar cavities, and crosslinking agents forming the hydrogel network. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving precise alveolus-like structure formation through their coordinated assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses click chemistry to change the crosslinking parameter from traditional slow crosslinking methods to rapid, controlled crosslinking. This parameter change enables precise control over hydrogel formation kinetics and final scaffold structure, achieving manufacturing precision despite composition complexity
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 method regenerates lung tissue by forming biodegradable, alveolus-like structures that improve vascular density and lung function, reducing emphysema progression and improving ventilation mechanics.
Implementation Method 1
a biopolymer having a first reactive group and a second reactive group, wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group react via click chemistry to crosslink the biopolymer to form a hydrogel
Implementation Method 2
polysaccharide microspheres; and a polysaccharide-lyase
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for regenerating and/or repairing lung tissue in a subject. The method comprises administering to a subject in need of lung tissue regeneration and/or repair a composition including (i) a carrier comprising a scaffold-forming material, (ii) cellular material selected from the group consisting of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) pneumocytes. In one embodiment of the method, the administering is intravenously or intratracheally. The administering can be via airways to the lung. The scaffold-forming material can comprise (i) a first biopolymer having a first reactive group; (ii) a second biopolymer having a second reactive group, wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group react via click chemistry to crosslink the first biopolymer and the second biopolymer to form a hydrogel; (iii) a porogen; and a (iv) porogen-degrading agent.