Ultrasound-Guided Lymph Node Cell Transplant for Ectopic Organ Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a significant challenge in effectively transplanting cells to regenerate failing organs due to anatomical and physiological barriers, particularly for patients with end-stage liver disease, as current methods face issues with cell migration, destruction, and limited engraftment in the liver, leading to transient portal hypertension and hepatic sinusoidal occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive method involving endoscopic ultrasound-guided delivery of cells into lymph nodes using a needle attached to an endoscope, allowing cells to engraft and produce ectopic tissues, such as ectopic liver, kidney, or pancreatic tissues, by advancing the endoscope through body lumens and inserting the needle through visceral walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are transplanted into the spleen via splenic artery for liver regeneration, then cell delivery is achieved, but cells are trapped, destroyed by phagocytosis, and fail to engraft effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the lymph node as an intermediary site between the spleen and the liver. Cells are first delivered to the lymph node via splenic artery, where they survive and proliferate in a protective microenvironment, then migrate to the liver through portal vein. The lymph node acts as a mediator that protects cells from direct exposure to the harsh splenic environment while maintaining their ability to reach the liver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the transplantation process into distinct stages: (1) initial cell delivery to the lymph node, (2) cell proliferation and maturation in the lymph node, and (3) subsequent migration to the liver. This segmentation allows cells to undergo selective pressure and adaptation in the lymph node before entering the liver, improving overall engraftment efficiency.
2Productivity
If cells are transplanted directly into the liver via portal vein, then orthotopic regeneration is achieved, but cells face anatomical barriers including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and sinusoidal occlusion that limit engraftment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cell proliferation and maturation in the lymph node before cells enter the liver. This preliminary action allows cells to develop protective mechanisms and adapt to the hepatic environment in advance, reducing the impact of fibrotic barriers and sinusoidal occlusion when cells subsequently migrate to the liver.
3Reliability
If traditional surgical transplantation methods are used, then cell delivery is achieved, but anatomical barriers and surgical complexity increase morbidity and mortality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex open surgical procedures with a minimally invasive endoscopic approach. Instead of requiring abdominal surgery to access the spleen or liver directly, the system uses endoscopy to navigate through the gastrointestinal tract and deliver cells to the lymph node, significantly reducing surgical complexity and associated risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods and systems of transplant cells and growing an ectopic tissue in a lymph node of a subject. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein enable minimally invasive cell transplantation to treat patients in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein include the use of ultrasound endoscopy.