Polyhexanide Disinfection for Umbilical Cord Tissue Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for disinfecting umbilical cord tissue are inadequate for preserving or cryopreserving it, leading to high contamination rates and poor viability and proliferation of stem cells, which hinders the establishment of a reliable tissue bank and autologous storage service.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyhexanide in disinfection solutions for umbilical cord tissue, combined with isotonic saline containing antibiotics and antimycotics, allows for effective decontamination and preservation, enabling the isolation of high-quality stem cells with improved survival and proliferation rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If chlorhexidine is used to disinfect umbilical cord tissue, then microbial contamination is reduced, but stem cell viability and proliferation are significantly impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidstem cell viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfectant by switching from chlorhexidine to polyhexanide, which has different molecular structure and biological compatibility properties. This parameter change allows achieving effective disinfection while preserving stem cell viability and proliferation capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces polyhexanide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the need for disinfection and the need to preserve stem cell function. Polyhexanide acts as a more selective and less cytotoxic disinfectant compared to chlorhexidine, allowing both goals to be achieved simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional disinfection methods are used, then germ load is reduced, but tissue preservation and long-term storage are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm loadVSAvoidtissue storage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the disinfection solution to polyhexanide-based formulations, which provide sustained antimicrobial protection without compromising tissue integrity during long-term storage and cryopreservation periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high concentrations of disinfectant are used to ensure complete decontamination, then microbial contamination is eliminated, but stem cell survival rates decrease significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidstem cell survival rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameters and chemical nature of the disinfectant to polyhexanide, which achieves effective decontamination at lower, less cytotoxic concentrations compared to traditional disinfectants, thereby preserving stem cell survival rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method significantly reduces microbial contamination, ensures the viability and proliferation of stem cells, and facilitates the long-term storage and use of umbilical cord tissue for regenerative medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

The antiseptic effect of chlorhexidine is based on its implementation in the bacterial cell membrane, which leads to a loss of small molecules and precipitation of cytoplasmic proteins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCell membrane disruption:

Implementation Method 2

preservation or cryopreservation of umbilical cord tissue or parts thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP2756754B1Method for the treatment of umbilical cord tissue, in particular associated with the preservation of the tissue

Publication Date: 2017.01.04 VITA 34

AI summary

Disinfecting the umbilical cord or umbilical cord tissue, comprises washing the umbilical cord or the umbilical cord tissue with a solution which contains polyhexanide. An independent claim is also included for preserving umbilical cord or umbilical cord tissue, comprising washing and cooling the umbilical cord or umbilical cord tissue to be preserved.