Nanofiber Mat Reinforcement Pattern for Handling Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nanofiber mats for cell culturing and guided bone regeneration face challenges with handling due to flexibility and limited rigidity, and existing resorbable polymer barrier membranes have low rigidity, making them difficult to use in various applications.

Innovation Solution

A nanofiber mat with a reinforcement pattern that enhances rigidity and flexibility, featuring a combination of biologically reactive substances, magnetic materials, and carbon nanotubes, and a manufacturing method that includes forming a reinforcement pattern within the nanofiber layer to improve structural integrity and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nanofiber mats are made highly flexible to maintain morphological similarity to extracellular matrix, then biocompatibility is improved, but handling becomes difficult and structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines nanofibers (for biocompatibility) with reinforcement fibers (for structural stability and handling ease) to create a composite barrier membrane that achieves both flexibility and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement fibers are strategically positioned within the nanofiber mat to provide localized structural support in areas requiring strength, while maintaining the overall flexibility and nanofiber morphology for biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If resorbable polymer barrier membranes are used to achieve high biocompatibility and eliminate need for removal, then biocompatibility is improved, but rigidity becomes very low making them difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure combining resorbable nanofibers (for biocompatibility) with reinforcement fibers (for rigidity), allowing the membrane to be both biocompatible and structurally sound for easy handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and mechanical parameters of the barrier membrane by incorporating reinforcement fibers, changing its rigidity and handling characteristics while maintaining the biocompatible properties of the resorbable polymer nanofibers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If nanofiber mats are fabricated with very large thickness to improve handling ease, then handling becomes easier, but cost increases and application range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure where reinforcement fibers provide the necessary mechanical strength for handling, allowing the nanofiber mat to remain thin while still being easy to handle during surgical procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 nanofiber mat achieves improved biocompatibility, long-term drug-releasing capabilities, and enhanced rigidity, allowing for easier handling and versatile application in cell culturing and guided bone regeneration while maintaining flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

fibers produced by electrospinning are fibers with a very small diameter, and they are advantageous in that they have a very large surface area per unit volume, are flexible, highly porous

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrospinning:

Data Source

PatentEP3162387B1Nano-fiber mat, method for manufacturing same, and use thereof as cell culture mat or guided bone regeneration shielding membrane
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 STONE CORP
  • EP3162387B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3162387B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3162387B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a nanofiber mat, a manufacturing method thereof, and applications thereof as a mat for cell culturing or as a barrier membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). The nanofiber layer includes a nanofiber layer and a reinforcement pattern that is disposed on the nanofiber layer and adhesively connected with the nanofiber layer. The nanofiber layer and the reinforcement pattern are combined with each other by at least one of the melting-solidification of at least a part of the nanofiber layer together with the reinforcement pattern, the dissolution-solidification of the same, and the penetration of a part of the reinforcement pattern into the nanofiber layer, followed by solidification.