Silk Matrix Vascular Patch for Endothelial Cell Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vascular patches made of synthetic polymers cause vascular blockage, calcification, and inflammation due to bio-incompatibility, leading to complications such as vascular occlusion and neurological issues, especially in oral and maxillofacial surgeries, and are not suitable for thin blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A vascular patch using a silk matrix derived from silkworms, which is biocompatible and can be manufactured by planar or thickness division to create pieces of varying thickness, reducing foreign body reactions and promoting endothelial cell growth, thereby maintaining blood vessel diameter and flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional vascular patches made of synthetic polymers (PET, ePTFE) or Gore-Tex are used, then vascular occlusion and calcification are reduced initially, but long-term biocompatibility deteriorates causing inflammation and tissue necrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial vascular functionVSAvoidinflammation and tissue necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic polymer to natural silk fibroin, fundamentally altering the biocompatibility characteristics. Silk fibroin provides inherent anti-thrombogenic properties and promotes endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation, resolving the long-term biocompatibility issue while maintaining initial vascular function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite structure combining silk fibroin matrix with embedded growth factors or medicinal components. This composite approach enhances the base material's biocompatibility while adding functional properties that actively promote vascular regeneration and prevent inflammation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If direct closure of vascular defects is performed, then surgical simplicity is improved, but blood vessel diameter narrowing occurs causing cerebral infarction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical simplicityVSAvoidblood vessel diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vascular defect into a repairable component by inserting a vascular patch that maintains the original vessel's diameter. The patch is divided into manageable sections that can be sutured in place, preserving blood flow while allowing straightforward surgical implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vascular patch acts as an intermediary material between the disrupted vascular ends. It provides a scaffold that maintains vessel patency and promotes natural healing, avoiding direct closure while keeping the surgical procedure simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional vascular patches are used for cardiovascular applications, then large vessel repair is effective, but application to thin oral and maxillofacial blood vessels becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular repair effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to different vessel sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating vascular patches with varying thicknesses and pore sizes tailored to specific vessel calibers. Thin-walled oral and maxillofacial vessels receive thinner, more compliant patches, while larger cardiovascular vessels receive thicker, more robust patches, optimizing performance for each application site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The silk fibroin material provides universal applicability across different vessel sizes and locations. The base material's inherent biocompatibility and mechanical properties allow it to function effectively in both thin oral vessels and larger cardiovascular vessels, reducing the need for application-specific material variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If silk matrix is produced from silkworms and subjected to planar division, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but patch thickness uniformity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidpatch thickness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the cocoon formation parameters (silkworm age, rearing conditions, cocoon harvesting timing) to produce silk matrices with consistent initial thickness. By optimizing these parameters, the subsequent planar division produces patches with sufficient thickness uniformity for clinical use while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10772988B2Vascular patch using silk matrix and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 REPUBLIC OF KOREA (MANAGEMENT RURAL DEV ADMINISTRATION)

AI summary

Disclosed are a vascular patch using a silk matrix and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the vascular patch is configured such that a silk matrix having a cross-section with a first thickness, produced from silkworms, is subjected to planar division into two or more silk matrix pieces having a predetermined shape with the first thickness. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is relatively simple, thus reducing the manufacturing cost compared to when manufacturing typical vascular patches, and also, the vascular patch can exhibit outstanding cell culture capacity and is biocompatible.