Patterned Nanofibrillar Polysaccharide Membrane for Controlled Cell Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound healing technologies face challenges in delivering therapeutic cells effectively to wound sites and preventing inflammation and scarring, particularly in severe wounds and burns, where traditional methods often fail to promote optimal healing and tissue repair.

Innovation Solution

A patterned membrane comprising nanofibrillar polysaccharides with micro-scale topography is developed, allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic cells to wound sites, enhancing wound healing and reducing inflammation by providing a suitable microenvironment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wound dressings and allogeneic skin grafts are used to cover deep dermal defects, then wound coverage is achieved, but self-reconstruction by epidermal cell proliferation is impaired and scarring occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing effectivenessVSAvoidscarring and fibrosis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-seeding the nanofibrillar cellulose membrane with therapeutic cells (such as epidermal cells, fibroblasts, or stem cells) before implantation. This allows the membrane to arrive at the wound site already populated with cells that will drive regeneration, eliminating the need for subsequent cell transplantation and reducing scarring by promoting natural re-epithelialization from the edges and base of the wound.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a membrane with non-uniform cell distribution - higher cell density at the edges and base of the membrane corresponding to the wound margins, and lower density in the central area. This mirrors the natural wound healing pattern where epidermal cells proliferate from the wound edges, providing localized cellular support where most needed while avoiding excess cell accumulation that could cause fibrosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If cells are delivered to wound sites using traditional methods, then cell transplantation is achieved, but even distribution and controlled delivery are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell delivery quantityVSAvoidcell distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-seeding the nanofibrillar cellulose membrane with therapeutic cells in a controlled laboratory setting before implantation. This allows precise control over cell density, distribution pattern, and cell type placement, ensuring uniform and controlled delivery that cannot be achieved through surgical cell transplantation at the time of wound treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the nanofibrillar cellulose membrane as a carrier medium that facilitates controlled cell delivery. The membrane's porous structure and surface properties act as an intermediary that holds cells in a viable state and releases them in a controlled manner, bridging the gap between cell culture and wound site application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If nanofibrillar cellulose membranes are used for wound treatment, then wound coverage and protection are achieved, but controlled cell delivery and even distribution are not realized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound protection and coverageVSAvoidcell delivery control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-seeding the nanofibrillar cellulose membrane with therapeutic cells in a controlled laboratory setting before implantation. This allows precise control over cell density, distribution pattern, and cell type placement, ensuring uniform and controlled delivery that cannot be achieved through surgical cell transplantation at the time of wound treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a membrane with non-uniform cell distribution - higher cell density at the edges and base of the membrane corresponding to the wound margins, and lower density in the central area. This mirrors the natural wound healing pattern where epidermal cells proliferate from the wound edges, providing localized cellular support where most needed while avoiding excess cell accumulation that could cause fibrosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 patterned membrane significantly enhances wound healing by facilitating the even distribution and detachment of therapeutic cells at the wound site, promoting faster recovery and reducing inflammation and scarring, as demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Implementation Method 1

providing a suitable microenvironment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and alignment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCell adhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

facilitating the even distribution and detachment of therapeutic cells at the wound site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface topography effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3089765B1Biomedical device
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 UPM KYMMENE OYJ
  • EP3089765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3089765B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3089765B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5D

AI summary

The present invention is related to a patterned membrane comprising nanofibrillar polysaccharides, device and compositions for improving wound healing, as well as to their manufacture and use for therapy.