Plasma Detoxification of Glutaraldehyde-Treated Biological Tissue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biological tissues treated with glutaraldehyde for stability face issues of toxicity and incomplete detoxification, limiting their long-term use and biocompatibility in medical implants, particularly in cardiovascular and orthopedic applications, where they fail to prevent calcification and thromboembolic complications.

Innovation Solution

A physical plasma gas treatment using excited gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or argon to chemically neutralize free aldehyde groups, followed by a biocompatible metal-containing coating, enhances biocompatibility and stability, achieving over 80% detoxification and promoting endothelialization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glutaraldehyde is used to treat biological tissue for stability, then mechanical stability is improved, but toxicity increases and biocompatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies plasma treatment to convert the harmful free aldehyde groups generated by glutaraldehyde fixation into beneficial effects. The plasma process oxidizes these toxic aldehyde groups, transforming them into harmless or beneficial species, thereby eliminating toxicity while preserving the mechanical stability provided by glutaraldehyde fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical state of the tissue surface through plasma treatment. By modifying the surface chemistry to reduce free aldehyde groups while maintaining cross-linked collagen structure, the invention achieves a parameter change that simultaneously improves biocompatibility and maintains mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If glutaraldehyde is used to treat biological tissue for stability, then long-term stability is improved, but calcification resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term stabilityVSAvoidcalcification

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma treatment converts the harmful effect of glutaraldehyde fixation (promoting calcification) into a beneficial state by oxidizing free aldehyde groups. This transformation reduces the tissue's susceptibility to calcification while maintaining the long-term stability provided by the cross-linked collagen structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If glutaraldehyde is used to treat biological tissue for stability, then structural integrity is improved, but endothelialization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidendothelialization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma treatment eliminates the harmful free aldehyde groups that prevent endothelialization, converting the surface into a biocompatible state that promotes cell colonization. The structural integrity from glutaraldehyde fixation is preserved while the surface chemistry is modified to enable endothelialization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If plasma treatment is applied to detoxify the tissue, then biocompatibility is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex chemical detoxification processes with a physical plasma treatment method. Instead of using multiple chemical agents to remove free aldehyde groups, the invention uses plasma physics to achieve detoxification through oxidation, simplifying the overall process while improving biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly improves the biocompatibility and long-term stability of glutaraldehyde-treated tissues, enabling their use for extended periods, potentially permanent, by neutralizing toxic aldehyde groups and promoting cell growth on implant surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

A physical plasma gas treatment using excited gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or argon to chemically neutralize free aldehyde groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

A physical plasma gas treatment using excited gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or argon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP2125053B1Method for the treatment of biological tissue of animal or human origin, such as porcine or bovine pericardium or human cadaver heart valves, and biological tissue treated accordingly

Publication Date: 2015.03.04 PFM MEDICAL TITANIUM GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of glutardialdehyde-stabilized biological tissue of animal or human origin, such as porcine or bovine pericardium or human cadaver heart valves, wherein the method provides a physical plasma treatment of the particularly collagen tissue for increasing its bio-compatibility, cell population, and shelf life.