PIPP Flap Obturator for Tissue Vascularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue engineering and regenerative medicine face challenges in creating complex composite soft tissue structures that include striated muscle, skin, and mucosa with a mucocutaneous junction, and in developing an in vivo perfusion system to supply nutrition to large segments of tissue created in vitro, limiting the survival and functionality of in vitro-produced implants, especially in areas like the lips where multiple tissue types are involved.
Innovation Solution
The development of a prefabricated innervated pre-vascularized pre-laminated (PIPP) flap technique, which involves creating a cell construct of skin and mucosa cells, grafting it onto a muscle at a donor site, stabilizing it with an obturator component, and allowing the composite to develop a microvascular system in vivo before transferring it to a recipient site, ensuring native axial blood supply and motor innervation for functional reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If in vitro tissue engineering methods are used to create complex composite soft tissue structures, then manufacturing precision and structural complexity are improved, but in vivo perfusion system development and tissue survival are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-vascularizing the tissue construct in vitro before implantation. A three-dimensional scaffold with embedded endothelial cells is cultured to develop a functional vascular network prior to in vivo placement, enabling immediate perfusion upon implantation and significantly improving tissue survival rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a biodegradable scaffold as an intermediary structure that provides temporary mechanical support and serves as a template for vascularization. The scaffold facilitates nutrient transport and cell organization during the critical early phase of in vivo integration, bridging the gap between in vitro construction and functional in vivo operation
2Manufacturing precision
If large segments of tissue are created in vitro, then manufacturing precision is improved, but development of in vivo perfusion system and nutrition supply are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a vascular network within the tissue construct during in vitro culture, allowing large tissue segments to be created with integrated perfusion pathways before implantation. This preliminary vascularization ensures that even large tissue segments receive adequate nutrition and oxygen immediately upon in vivo placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous biodegradable scaffolds with controlled pore sizes and distributions that facilitate nutrient diffusion and vascular ingrowth. The porous structure allows efficient mass transport of nutrients and waste products throughout large tissue segments while maintaining structural integrity
3Manufacturing precision
If complex composite soft tissue structures with multiple tissue types are created, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability of in vitro-produced implants is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex tissue construct into distinct modular zones, each containing specific cell types and extracellular matrix compositions appropriate for different tissue functions. This segmentation allows optimized culture conditions for each tissue type while maintaining overall structural integration and functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite tissue structures by combining multiple cell types (epithelial, endothelial, stromal cells) and biomaterials in a coordinated architecture. The composite construct mimics native tissue organization with distinct layers and interfaces, enabling reliable function of complex organs while maintaining manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides, in various aspects, a method of forming a prefabricated innervated pre-vascularized pre-laminated (PIPP) flap having a stoma or lumen. The method includes providing a cell construct including skin cells and/or mucosa cells. The method further includes forming an integrated in vivo composite at a donor site by grafting the cell construct onto a muscle. The method further includes stabilizing the composite on an obturator component. The method further includes developing a microvascular system in the composite by retaining it in vivo at the donor site for a predetermined period of time. The method further includes removing the obturator component from the stoma or lumen. In certain aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of restoring a defect including damaged or surgically removed soft tissue using a PIPP flap. In certain aspect, the present disclosure also provides an obturator component for maintaining the stoma or lumen.