Multiscale Electrospun Scaffold for Tissue Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scaffolds for tissue regeneration, particularly for tendinous, ligamentous, muscular, and nervous tissues, lack a hierarchical and multiscale three-dimensional structure, which is essential for mimicking the native tissue's mechanical and morphological features, leading to inadequate mechanical properties and limited ability to reproduce the complex organization of these tissues.
Innovation Solution
A multiscale hierarchical scaffold is developed using electrospun nanofibers that mimic the natural structure of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves by aligning and compacting clusters of nanofibers with an electrospun sheath, replicating the hierarchical organization of collagen fibrils, fascicles, and epitenon/epiligament sleeves, and allowing for the inclusion of additional hierarchical levels to simulate the endotenon/endoligament and epineurium structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If electrospun nanofibers are aligned and compacted using a drum ground collector, then the outer sheath can be formed, but the compaction of clusters is limited and mechanical properties are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymeric adhesive solution as an intermediary substance to bond clusters of nanofibers to the drum ground collector. This adhesive layer enables effective compaction and attachment of clusters during the electrospinning process, resolving the contradiction between forming an outer sheath and maintaining mechanical properties by providing a bonding medium that enhances interfacial adhesion without compromising the structural integrity of the scaffold.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of clusters of twisted nanofibers is increased, then the scaffold completeness is improved, but the ground effect of the collector is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive solution (viscosity, composition, application method) to optimize the bonding between clusters and the drum collector. By adjusting these parameters, the system can accommodate a higher number of clusters while maintaining sufficient ground effect and adhesion, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing cluster quantity and preserving collector effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If clusters of twisted nanofibers are manually fastened to the drum, then the outer sheath can be coated, but the compaction is insufficient and mechanical resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric adhesive solution serves as a mediator that replaces manual fastening with a chemically bonded attachment system. This intermediary substance provides strong adhesion between clusters and the drum collector, enabling effective compaction and significantly improving mechanical resistance while maintaining ease of manufacture through a simplified coating process.
4Device complexity
If the scaffold lacks hierarchical organization, then the production process is simplified, but the mechanical resistance to physiological loads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements hierarchical organization by segmenting the scaffold into distinct structural levels: individual nanofibers, clusters of nanofibers, bundles of clusters, and an outer sheath. This segmentation creates a multiscale hierarchical structure that mimics native tissue architecture, providing progressive load distribution and significantly enhancing mechanical resistance to physiological loads while maintaining a relatively simple production process through sequential electrospinning steps.
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 scaffold achieves high mechanical resistance and stiffness comparable to natural tissues, enabling effective tissue regeneration by maintaining the hierarchical organization and allowing cell colonization and vascularization, reducing the risk of scar tissue formation and improving the final mechanical and morphological properties of the regenerated tissue.
Implementation Method 1
During the initial phase of the electrospinning process the nanofibers, attracted by the two ground collectors, adhere on the two faced sides of the rollers, filling-up the gap between the rollers themselves and by aligning
Implementation Method 2
a porous sheath obtained by electrospinning consisting of nanofibers, wherein said sheath externally coats and compacts said plurality of clusters by keeping them aligned with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a support or a multiscale hierarchical scaffold for the tissue regeneration, in particular for the regeneration or replacement of the tendinous and/or ligamentous and/or muscular and/or nervous tissue. The present invention further relates to the processes for obtaining such support and the uses thereof.