PMMA-Hydrogel Composite with Stem Cell Spheroids for Bone Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone cement materials, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), used for treating vertebral compression fractures in osteoporotic patients, have inadequate strength and cause side effects like injury to surrounding vertebrae and bone tissue exfoliation, necessitating the development of alternative materials for effective bone regeneration.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising PMMA, a hydrogel made from glycol chitosan and oxidized hyaluronate, and stem cell spheroids, which provides a scaffold for bone regeneration by promoting the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts and osteocytes, thereby enhancing bone tissue repair and reducing pain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is injected into the spine to stabilize fractures, then fracture stabilization is achieved, but side effects such as injury to surrounding vertebrae, exfoliation of bone tissue, and blocking of resorption occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture stabilization strengthVSAvoidinjury to surrounding vertebrae and bone tissue exfoliation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines PMMA bone cement with hydrogel and stem cell spheroids to create a composite material system. The hydrogel serves as a pore-forming phase that dissolves or decomposes to create porous structures, while the stem cell spheroids provide biological activity for bone regeneration. This composite approach maintains the structural strength of PMMA while adding biodegradability and regenerative capabilities to eliminate the harmful side effects of pure PMMA.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel component acts as a pore-forming phase that dissolves or decomposes to form pores throughout the entire material. This creates a porous structure that allows for bone ingrowth, vascularization, and eliminates the blocking of resorption pathways. The porous structure also reduces the rigidity mismatch between cement and bone, reducing stress shielding and injury to surrounding vertebrae.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a technique using a mixture of PMMA and aqueous polymer gel is employed, then the hydrate environment and scaffold function are improved, but the strength and structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrate environment provision and scaffold functionVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the ratio of hydrogel to PMMA to balance the competing requirements of providing a hydrate environment/scaffold function versus maintaining structural integrity. By controlling the concentration and composition parameters of the hydrogel phase, the material achieves sufficient porosity and biocompatibility while retaining adequate mechanical strength for fracture stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If stem cell spheroids are added to the PMMA-hydrogel mixture, then bone tissue regeneration is promoted, but the complexity of the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone tissue regeneration capabilityVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stem cells are pre-differentiated into spheroid structures before being incorporated into the PMMA-hydrogel composite. This preliminary organization of cells into spheroids enhances their survival, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation capacity when implanted. The spheroid formation simplifies the handling and injection process while maximizing the regenerative efficacy of the stem cells.

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 composition effectively promotes bone regeneration, reduces pain, and minimizes side effects by providing a scaffold for stem cell differentiation and bone growth, making it suitable for treating bone diseases like osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures.

Implementation Method 1

the gel phase dissolves or decomposes to form pores throughout the entire material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 2

A polymer gel, such as a hydrogel, acts as a pore-forming phase in which the gel phase dissolves or decomposes to form pores throughout the entire material. This is injected in vivo to maintain a hydrate environment to play the role of providing a scaffold in the form of a cushion and increase cell filtration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS20230381240A1Composition for bone regeneration containing hydrogel and stem cell spheroid, and use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SELJIN CO LTD

AI summary

The current disclosure relates to a composition for promoting bone regeneration, preventing or treating bone diseases using a composition containing a hydrogel and a stem cell spheroid and a use thereof, and a method for preparing the same, wherein the composition for bone regeneration has the effect of promoting bone regeneration of injured bone tissue and alleviating pain while promoting the differentiation of the injected mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and osteocytes at the same time, and thus, can be used for the prevention or treatment of bone diseases.