Solution Electrowriting for Vascular Grafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrospinning techniques lack precision and control in producing fibrous materials with specific structural features, particularly for biomedical applications like vascular grafts, due to whipping instability and limitations in polymer selection and processing temperatures, leading to suboptimal hemocompatibility and biocompatibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of solution electrowriting systems with a rotating mandrel and near-field electrospinning to control fiber diameter, alignment, and fusion, employing solvents with varying boiling points and dipole moments to create biocompatible and biodegradable fibers with desired morphological features, such as fiber fusion and stacking, for improved vascular grafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrospinning is used to produce fibrous materials, then fiber diameter control is achieved, but manufacturing precision and structural feature control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the spinneret motion system, allowing programmable movement in x, y, and z directions during electrospinning. This enables real-time adjustment of fiber deposition patterns, achieving precise structural feature control while maintaining flexibility in processing different scaffold architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through the programmable spinneret motion system that responds to pre-programmed paths and parameters. This allows precise control of fiber diameter and structural features by adjusting voltage, flow rate, and motion parameters based on desired scaffold outcomes.
2Manufacturing precision
If melt electrospinning is used to fabricate tubular scaffolds, then control over fiber structure is improved, but polymer selection is limited by melting points and viscosity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solution electrospinning instead of melt electrospinning, changing the processing parameter from temperature-based melting to solvent-based dissolution. This allows use of polymers with diverse chemical properties and degradation rates, significantly expanding polymer selection while maintaining precise fiber structure control through solution concentration and evaporation rate management.
3Stability of the object's composition
If near-field electrospinning is used to decrease gap distance, then whipping instability is reduced, but applied voltage and flow rate must be drastically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts applied voltage and flow rate parameters based on the reduced gap distance in near-field electrospinning. By programming the spinneret motion and electrical parameters to work together, the system maintains fiber jet stability while optimizing productivity and fiber deposition rate for tubular scaffold fabrication.
4Reliability
If AV fistula is used for hemodialysis access, then dialysis access is established, but vein deformation and inflammation occur due to pressure spike and turbulent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates porous fibrous scaffolds with controlled pore size and structure that can be used as vascular grafts. The porous structure allows for blood flow while the fibrous architecture dampens pressure spikes and reduces turbulent flow, preventing vein deformation and inflammation while maintaining reliable dialysis access functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables fabrication of composite vascular grafts using different polymer materials with tailored mechanical and biological properties. These composite structures can mimic native vessel compliance and promote endothelialization, reducing hemocompatibility issues while maintaining access reliability.
5Adaptability or versatility
If AV graft is used for hemodialysis access, then access is provided for patients with poor veins, but long-term patency is reduced due to thrombogenicity and compliance mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls fiber diameter, pore size, and wall thickness parameters during electrospinning to create grafts with optimized mechanical properties. By adjusting these parameters, the graft compliance can be matched to native vessels, reducing compliance mismatch and thrombogenicity while maintaining long-term patency for patients with poor vein anatomy.
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 approach enables the production of fibrous products with precise structural features, enhancing hemocompatibility and biocompatibility, potentially improving the long-term patency and reducing complications associated with existing vascular grafts.
Implementation Method 1
one or more power source(s) configured to provide one or more electric potential(s) to each of the nozzle(s) and, optionally, to the collector system, thereby providing one or more electric potential difference(s) between the collector system and each of the nozzle(s)
Implementation Method 2
employing solvents with varying boiling points and dipole moments to create biocompatible and biodegradable fibers with desired morphological features
Data Source
AI summary
Solution electro writing systems, solution electrowriting methods, products made by the solution electrowriting systems or methods, and uses thereof. A solution electro written product can include one or more layer(s) of fibers in a predetermined pattern with various degrees of fiber fusion, fiber stacking, fiber porosity, or any combination thereof. A solution electro written product can be tubular or flat. A solution electro written product can be a conduit, a web, a patch, a cuff, or a shape of at least a portion of an organ, or the like. A solution electro written product can comprise polymer(s), such as, for example, biocompatible and/or biodegradable polymer(s). A solution electro written product can be used for tissue grafts, including arterial grafts, such as, for example, arteriovenous grafts.