Engineered Orthopedic Soft Tissue Fiber Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods have failed to fully recapitulate the fiber alignment of naturally occurring orthopedic soft tissues such as cartilage, meniscus, annulus fibrosus, and tendon/ligaments in engineered tissues.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of forces to partially crosslinked polymers during crosslinking processes, using molds and expanders to align fibers similarly to those in natural tissues, and utilizing crosslinkable polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and other synthetic or natural polymers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If physiological forces are applied to recreate fiber alignment in engineered cartilage, then the mechanical loading is improved, but the fiber orientation fails to fully recapitulate native tissue structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical loadingVSAvoidfiber orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical forces during the crosslinking process itself, rather than after tissue formation. By imposing tensile, compressive, or shear forces during polymer crosslinking, the method establishes fiber alignment at the fundamental structural level, preventing the need for subsequent mechanical conditioning that fails to achieve native-like orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of force application to occur during crosslinking rather than post-formation. It also varies the type of force (tensile, compressive, shear) and the duration of force application to optimize fiber alignment, achieving native tissue-like structure by modifying process parameters rather than relying on physiological loading alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If crosslinking is performed without applied forces, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the fiber alignment does not mimic native tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking processVSAvoidfiber alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the crosslinking process with mechanical force application into a single integrated step. Rather than performing crosslinking separately and then applying mechanical loading, the method combines these operations so that crosslinking occurs under applied forces, simultaneously achieving structural formation and fiber alignment in one process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanical forces during the crosslinking process itself, rather than after tissue formation. By imposing tensile, compressive, or shear forces during polymer crosslinking, the method establishes fiber alignment at the fundamental structural level, preventing the need for subsequent mechanical conditioning that fails to achieve native-like orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If rapid cellular growth and maturation occur postnatally, then tissue development is accelerated, but the engineered tissue fails to replicate this natural architecture development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue development speedVSAvoidtissue architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical forces during the crosslinking process itself, rather than after tissue formation. By imposing tensile, compressive, or shear forces during polymer crosslinking, the method establishes fiber alignment at the fundamental structural level, preventing the need for subsequent mechanical conditioning that fails to achieve native-like orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 successfully produces engineered orthopedic soft tissues with fiber alignment similar to that of naturally occurring tissues, effectively mimicking the structure and properties of native cartilage, meniscus, and other soft tissues.

Implementation Method 1

placing the partially crosslinked polymer and the mold onto an expander, wherein the expander is shaped as a hemisphere and is capable of radially expanding the polymer on the mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion:

Implementation Method 2

crosslinking the polymer while the expander is radially expanding the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Implementation Method 3

crosslinking the polymer while the loading frame is applying forces to the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force application: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12311077B2Method of making, manufacturing or producing orthopedic soft tissue

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 NEW YORK SOC FOR THE RUPTURED & CRIPPLED MAINTAINING THE HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY

AI summary

An improved method of making, manufacturing and/or producing engineered orthopedic soft tissue including cartilage, meniscus, annulus fibrosus, and tendon/ligaments which results in engineered soft tissue in which the fibers are aligned the same or nearly the same as naturally occurring tissue. The present invention also includes molds and other apparatus for carrying out the methods of the invention and kits.