Supercritical CO2 Tissue Treatment With Dynamic Co-Solvent Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue treatment methods using supercritical carbon dioxide face challenges in optimizing the compromise between effective decontamination and retention of mechanical and biological properties, often leading to degradation of the tissue matrix.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a reactor with dynamic circulation of supercritical carbon dioxide and a co-solvent additive, where the additive is introduced into the supercritical carbon dioxide flow to create a treatment flow that purifies and decontaminates the tissue while minimizing chemical concentration, using a recirculation loop to separate residues and control additive concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical agents are used at high concentration for effective decontamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but mechanical and biological properties of the tissue matrix are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical and biological properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of carbon dioxide from gaseous to supercritical state, which fundamentally alters its solvent properties and allows effective decontamination at lower chemical agent concentrations, thereby preserving tissue matrix integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a co-solvent additive as an intermediary substance that enhances the extraction capability of supercritical carbon dioxide, enabling effective removal of organic residues without requiring high concentrations of chemically active agents that would damage the tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical agents are used for purification, then decontamination is improved, but the complexity of optimizing the compromise between effectiveness and tissue property retention increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidoptimization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes supercritical carbon dioxide a multi-functional agent that simultaneously provides decontamination, extraction of organic residues, and penetration into the tissue matrix, eliminating the need for multiple separate chemical treatment steps and simplifying the overall process optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If static immersion in chemical solution is used, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but extraction efficiency of unwanted residues is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment simplicityVSAvoidextraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static immersion to dynamic circulation of supercritical carbon dioxide through the tissue, creating continuous fresh solvent contact that significantly enhances the extraction efficiency of organic residues while maintaining operational simplicity through automated flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous circulation and recirculation of the supercritical carbon dioxide flow through the tissue sample, ensuring uninterrupted exposure to fresh solvent and maintaining high extraction efficiency throughout the treatment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 method achieves efficient purification and decontamination with reduced chemical exposure, preserving the mechanical and biological integrity of the tissue by minimizing additive concentration and optimizing residue extraction, thus maintaining tissue quality.

Implementation Method 1

This fluid in the supercritical state has an excellent ability to penetrate the porous material of the tissue by diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

using carbon dioxide in the supercritical state... to extract organic matter residues in order to purify and/or decontaminate said tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid extraction: Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Implementation Method 3

the concentration of co-solvent being determined according to its solubility in carbon dioxide in the supercritical state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS20260014286A1Method and facility for treating human or animal tissue by dynamically circulating an additive-containing supercritical fluid

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 BIOBANK

AI summary

Collagen-based tissue matrices are treated in a reactor by a flow of supercritical carbon dioxide, including at least one chemical additive inserted via an insertion device that is in communication with a loop. The additive is injected into the liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide when the reactor is already pressurized. The method combines supercritical CO2 as a solvent and a chemical additive as a co-solvent, in a dynamic treatment flow which circulates in the loop associated with the reactor, in order to increase their action on the treated tissue. The circulation of an additive, which is progressively injected and then recirculated with the CO2, forms part of a first treatment cycle. Several cycles, each with an additive, may follow one after the other, separated by a step of separating out the additive and the CO2, which is carried out with or without maintaining the pressurization and the circulation of CO2.