Recombinant Gelatin Cell Support for Uniform Bone Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current three-dimensional cell support materials for regenerative medicine, particularly in bone regeneration, face challenges in uniformly distributing and retaining cells, leading to nonuniform therapeutic effects and reduced survival rates due to issues with cell density and distribution within the scaffold matrix, and existing materials lack sufficient biodegradability and cell retention capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A porous body made of recombinant gelatin with specific porosity, average pore size, and water absorption rates, along with cross-linking using aldehydes or enzymes, is developed to create a biodegradable cell support that uniformly distributes and retains cells, enhancing bone regeneration by providing a suitable scaffold for cell adhesion and growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If cells are inoculated to a three-dimensional matrix, then cell culture capacity is improved, but cell distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell culture capacityVSAvoidcell distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a porous collagen matrix with specifically controlled pore size (50-200 μm) and porosity (80-90%) to enable uniform cell distribution throughout the three-dimensional structure. The porous structure allows cells to infiltrate and distribute evenly while maintaining high culture capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes physical parameters of the collagen matrix including pore size (50-200 μm), porosity (80-90%), and gel concentration (1-5%) to achieve both high cell culture capacity and uniform cell distribution. These parameter adjustments resolve the contradiction between quantity and uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If gelatin is used as scaffold material, then biocompatibility is improved, but bone regeneration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidbone regeneration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system by combining gelatin with inorganic bone regeneration materials (such as hydroxyapatite or bone morphogenetic proteins) to achieve both biocompatibility and bone regeneration capability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between material safety and functional effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If cross-linking is performed to enhance structural strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidbiodegradation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes cross-linking parameters including cross-linking agent concentration, treatment time, and temperature to achieve the minimum necessary structural strength while preserving biodegradability. By carefully controlling these parameters, the matrix maintains mechanical integrity during cell culture but remains degradable for bone regeneration applications

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

The recombinant gelatin-based cell support achieves uniform cell distribution and retention, improving bone regeneration outcomes by maintaining therapeutic efficacy and biodegradability, even with materials previously considered unsuitable for bone regeneration, such as gelatin, thereby overcoming issues of variable therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.

Implementation Method 1

a water absorption rate from 1000% to 9900%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

cross-linking using aldehydes or enzymes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2543398B1Cell support and bone regeneration material
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP2543398B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2543398B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2543398B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional cell support that is capable of uniformly distributing cells and retaining the cells in a state without nonuniformity and is made of a biodegradable material. The present invention provides a cell support consisting of a porous body made of a biodegradable material, the porous body having the following properties: (a) a porosity from 81% to 99.99%, (b) an average pore size of 10 to 400 µm, (c) having a hole interconnecting pores, and (d) a water absorption rate from 1000% to 9900%.