Mandrel-less Electrospinning Fluid Support for Vascular Grafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular grafts face significant challenges due to intimal hyperplasia, leading to occlusion and reduced long-term patency, particularly in arterial vein grafts, which limits their effectiveness in bypass procedures and poses risks to patients.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel-less electrospinning system that uses a fluid source to pressurize and electrospin a fiber matrix onto a tubular member, such as a vein or artificial graft, allowing for localized drug delivery and pressure control, thereby reducing the risk of occlusion and improving graft durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical mandrel is used to support the tubular member during electrospinning, then the tubular member can be held open and positioned, but the mandrel can damage the tubular member and does not provide pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mandrel with a fluid mandrel system that uses pressurized fluid (gas or liquid) to support and position the tubular member during electrospinning. The fluid is introduced through the lumen of the tubular member, providing internal pressure to hold the structure open and maintain its shape without external mechanical contact, thereby preventing damage to the tubular member while achieving the necessary structural support.
2Productivity
If a mechanical mandrel is used for electrospinning, then the process can be performed, but the mandrel does not adapt to different lengths or sizes of tubular members
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid mandrel system is designed to be universally applicable to tubular members of various sizes and lengths. By controlling the fluid pressure and flow rate, the same fluid mandrel apparatus can adapt to different tubular member dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mandrels and enhancing the versatility of the electrospinning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid mandrel system allows dynamic adjustment of pressure and flow parameters to accommodate different tubular member characteristics. The fluid pressure can be modulated in real-time during the electrospinning process to match the specific requirements of each tubular member, providing adaptability that rigid mechanical mandrels cannot achieve.
3Productivity
If a mechanical mandrel is used, then the tubular member can be processed, but there is no localized agent delivery capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural support function of the mandrel with the drug delivery function by introducing therapeutic agents directly into the fluid mandrel. This merged system simultaneously provides mechanical support during electrospinning and delivers therapeutic agents locally to the tubular member, eliminating the need for separate delivery mechanisms and adding therapeutic value to the processing system.
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 system enhances the long-term patency of vascular grafts by preventing early events of intimal hyperplasia and luminal narrowing, minimizing surgical complications, and providing a more adaptable and less invasive method for graft reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
pressurizing a lumen of the tubular member
Implementation Method 2
An electrical potential is applied between the at least one nozzle and either the tubular member or fluid from the fluid source. The electrical potential draws at least one fiber from the at least one nozzle to the tubular member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4A
AI summary
A system for electrospinning a fiber matrix on a tubular member includes at least one nozzle, a tubular member in a spaced relationship to the at least one nozzle, and a fluid source for pressurizing a lumen of the tubular member. An electrical potential is applied between the at least one nozzle and either the tubular member or fluid from the fluid source. The electrical potential draws at least one fiber from the at least one nozzle to the tubular member.