Lyophilized Human Tissue Preservation for Viable Long-Term Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue preservation methods, such as refrigeration, dehydration, and cryopreservation, fail to maintain high cell viability and structural integrity while providing an extended shelf-life without requiring ultra-low temperatures, limiting their practical application.
Innovation Solution
A method involving lyophilization of tissue samples using a lyoprotectant solution, followed by controlled freezing and multiple drying steps, which includes a first drying step at a specific temperature range and a second drying step at elevated temperatures, to preserve tissue structure and cell viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigeration is used to maintain high cell viability, then cell viability is improved, but shelf-life is limited to weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water in tissue from liquid to solid (freezing) and then removes it entirely (lyophilization), transforming the preservation mechanism from maintaining liquid water to eliminating water presence. This allows shelf-life extension from weeks to years while maintaining cell viability through the addition of lyoprotectants that protect cellular structures during the drying process.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If dehydration is used to extend shelf-life, then shelf-life is improved to years, but tissue devitalization occurs that negatively impacts biological function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lyoprotectants as intermediary substances that mediate between the drying process and cellular structures. These lyoprotectants form protective complexes with cellular components during lyophilization, preventing direct damage from water removal and enabling retention of biological function after rehydration.
3Reliability
If cryopreservation is used to retain living tissue cells for extended time, then cell viability is improved, but cost and effort for maintaining ultra-low temperatures limits utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water from the tissue system entirely through lyophilization, eliminating the need for continuous temperature maintenance. By removing the water that requires freezing, the system transitions from requiring ultra-low temperature infrastructure to allowing stable storage at ambient or refrigerated temperatures, dramatically simplifying the supply chain.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional lyophilization is used to extend shelf-life, then shelf-life is improved, but cell viability is lost due to tissue devitalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite preservation system combining tissue, lyoprotectants, and controlled drying conditions. The lyoprotectants integrate with cellular structures to form protected complexes that withstand the drying process, enabling both extended shelf-life and retained cell viability through this composite approach.
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 achieves extended shelf-life of tissues with high cell viability, allowing for stable storage and reconstitution, suitable for clinical and military applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the tissue sample with a lyoprotectant solution
Implementation Method 2
freezing the tissue sample
Implementation Method 3
performing a first drying step of the tissue sample after freezing
Implementation Method 4
performing a second drying step of the tissue sample after the first drying step
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods of lyophilizing a tissue sample comprising obtaining a tissue sample, contacting the tissue sample with a lyoprotectant solution, freezing the tissue sample, performing a first drying step of the tissue sample after freezing, and performing a second drying step of the tissue sample after the first drying step. Disclosed are lyophilized tissues prepared using the disclosed methods of lyophilizing a tissue sample comprising obtaining a tissue sample, contacting the tissue sample with a lyoprotectant solution, freezing the tissue sample, performing a first drying step of the tissue sample after freezing, and performing a second drying step of the tissue sample after the first drying step. Disclosed are methods of treating a wound or tissue defect comprising administering a reconstituted lyophilized tissue to the wound or tissue defect.