Polymeric Micro-Scaffold Manufacturing Device with Pneumatic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing polymeric micro-scaffolds struggle to produce uniform sizes consistently due to variations in external conditions, making it difficult to achieve practical and large-scale production.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first solution storage part, a second solution storage part, a gas storage part, a compression part, a pressure controller, a scaffold injector, and a scaffold production part, which uses a PLGA solution mixed with gelatin and an emulsifier solution to control pressure and produce uniform polymeric micro-scaffolds by removing organic solvents and dispersion media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If microfluidic channel and double emulsion method are used to control particle and pore sizes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to manufacture uniform products steadily on large scale
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the manufacturing process into distinct functional modules: solution storage parts (first and second), gas storage part, compression part, pressure controller, scaffold injector, and scaffold production part. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to achieve both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs gas pressure control through the gas storage part, compression part, and pressure controller to precisely regulate the flow and mixing of solutions. This pneumatic control system enables stable manufacturing of uniform micro-scaffolds while maintaining high productivity through controlled pressure-driven processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturing conditions are changed to adjust scaffold properties, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to great difference in products from slight condition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic control capabilities through the pressure controller and compression part, allowing real-time adjustment of manufacturing parameters. The system can dynamically respond to process variations and maintain precision even when adapting to different scaffold requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure controller provides feedback control by monitoring and adjusting gas pressure to maintain consistent manufacturing conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that slight variations in conditions do not lead to significant product differences, maintaining manufacturing precision while allowing for necessary adaptations.
3Ease of manufacture
If patch type products with centimeter size are manufactured, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot function as insertable drug delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables parameter changes in the final product by controlling the emulsion process and drying conditions. By adjusting parameters such as drop size, drying rate, and emulsion composition, the system produces micro-scaffolds with sizes suitable for injection while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of the emulsion technique, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and adaptability for drug delivery applications.
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 device stably manufactures polymeric micro-scaffolds of uniform size and pore size on a mass scale, enabling long-term continuous production and precise control over scaffold dimensions and pore sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas storage part, connected to both the first solution storage part and the second solution storage part, for providing a transporting gas for transporting the polymeric support structure solution and the emulsifier solution
Implementation Method 2
a compression part for applying a pressure to the transporting gas supplied to the first solution storage part and the second solution storage part
Implementation Method 3
releasing a scaffold dispersion resulting from coupling between the polymeric support structure solution and the emulsifier solution
Implementation Method 4
a scaffold production part for receiving the scaffold dispersion released from the scaffold injector, removing an organic solvent and a dispersion medium from the scaffold dispersion, and producing polymeric micro-scaffolds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a large amount of micro-scaffolds for a long period of time such that stable and uniform particles can be fabricated. The manufacturing device comprises: a first solution storage portion for storing a polymer support structure solution; a second solution storage portion for storing an emulsifier solution; a gas storage portion connected to each of the first solution storage portion and the second solution storage portion; a pressure control portion for controlling the pressure of the transporting gas flowing into the first solution storage portion and the second solution storage portion from the pressurization portion, respectively; a scaffold injector portion for receiving the polymer support structure solution and the emulsifier solution provided by the transporting gas, respectively; and a scaffold generating portion for receiving the scaffold dispersion discharged through the scaffold injection portion.