Modified Polysaccharide ECM for Tunable Biocompatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current synthetic extracellular matrices lack reproducibility, ease of synthesis, and translational capabilities for in vivo applications, and fail to accurately mimic the mechanical and chemical properties of natural ECMs, which are crucial for cell growth and tissue regeneration.

Innovation Solution

A modified polysaccharide-based extracellular matrix is developed, where at least 11% of the disaccharide units are oxidized into carboxylic acid, allowing for precise control of shear modulus and blending with unmodified polysaccharides to create materials with tunable mechanical and chemical properties, mimicking natural tissue stiffness and transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If animal protein extracts are used to produce synthetic ECMs, then biocompatibility is improved, but batch to batch reproducibility deteriorates and component definition becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidbatch to batch reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polysaccharide by oxidizing primary alcohol groups to carboxylic acids at controlled levels (1-50% conversion), thereby tuning the mechanical properties and biocompatibility while maintaining batch-to-batch consistency through precise control of oxidation degree

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite ECM materials by combining oxidized polysaccharides with unmodified polysaccharides or other biopolymers in controlled ratios, achieving both reproducibility and tailored biocompatibility through defined compositional blends

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If synthetic polymers are used to produce ECMs, then ease of synthesis is improved, but difficulty in translation to in vivo clinical settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of synthesisVSAvoidtranslational capability to in vivo settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of natural polysaccharides through controlled oxidation, creating materials that maintain the biological recognition properties of natural ECM while achieving the synthesis control and reproducibility of synthetic materials, thereby enabling translation to clinical settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If natural ECM components are used, then biocompatibility is improved, but ability to reproduce multiple aspects of natural ECM environment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidability to reproduce ECM environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite ECM systems by blending oxidized polysaccharides with unmodified polysaccharides, peptides, and other biopolymers in defined ratios, thereby reproducing multiple aspects of the natural ECM environment including mechanical properties, porosity, and biochemical signaling while maintaining biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces local chemical modifications at specific positions on the polysaccharide chains (oxidation of primary alcohol groups while leaving other positions unchanged), creating regions with different properties that collectively reproduce the heterogeneous nature of natural ECM

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If polysaccharide oxidation is increased to control shear modulus, then mechanical property control is improved, but structural integrity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshear modulus controlVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the oxidation parameter, limiting carboxylic acid formation to 1-50% of total groups, thereby achieving sufficient mechanical property control while preserving the structural integrity and gel-forming capacity of the polysaccharide backbone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 matrix enables the creation of well-defined three-dimensional tissues for regenerative implants and pharmaceutical delivery systems with controlled release properties, suitable for tissue engineering and medical applications, including artificial skin, cartilage, and blood vessels, with improved optical clarity and biocompatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a modified polysaccharide consisting of repeating disaccharide units whereby in at least 11% of the disaccharide units one primary alcohol group is oxidized into a carboxylic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20220411756A1Extracellular matrices which can be used as scaffold for living cells

Publication Date: 2022.12.29 MAPTECH HLDG UG

AI summary

The present invention discloses an extracellular matrix comprising a modified polysaccharide consisting of repeating disaccharide units whereby in at least 11% of the disaccharide units one primary alcohol group is oxidized into a carboxylic acid.