Biodegradable suture type cell delivery system for improving stem cell engraftment rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biodegradable synthetic polymers used in tissue engineering are hydrophobic, making it difficult for cells to proliferate on their surfaces, and existing stem cell delivery methods lack targetability and efficiency in delivering cells to specific sites within the body.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable suture-type cell delivery system is developed by hydrophilically modifying the surface of a biodegradable polymer suture with a hydrophilic functional group-containing compound and bonding a cell-compatible material, such as collagen, to create a scaffold that enhances cell proliferation and engraftment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic biodegradable synthetic polymers are used as scaffolds, then the mechanical strength and structural integrity are maintained, but cell proliferation and tissue growth are inhibited due to poor cell compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the surface of the hydrophobic polymer scaffold while maintaining the bulk properties. The surface is treated with plasma or chemical methods to introduce hydrophilic functional groups, creating a dual-character structure: the interior maintains mechanical strength while the exterior provides cell-compatible properties for proliferation and tissue growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining hydrophobic biodegradable polymer (providing structural integrity) with hydrophilic surface modifications (providing cell compatibility). This composite approach allows the scaffold to simultaneously exhibit both mechanical reliability and biological adaptability that neither material could provide alone.
2Ease of operation
If conventional injection-type therapeutic agents are used for stem cell delivery, then the administration process is simple, but the targetability and efficiency of delivering stem cells to specific sites are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the nesting principle by encapsulating stem cells within a biodegradable polymer scaffold structure. The scaffold acts as a carrier that protects and transports cells to the target site, with the cells nested within the porous matrix of the scaffold, enabling controlled release and localized delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable polymer scaffold serves as an intermediary carrier between the stem cells and the target tissue site. It facilitates controlled delivery by protecting cells during transport, enabling precise localization at the injury site, and providing a temporary structural support that degrades as tissue regenerates.
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 modified suture-type cell delivery system improves the rate of stem cell engraftment in vivo by providing a compatible surface for cell proliferation and tissue growth, addressing the limitations of hydrophobic polymers and inefficient cell delivery methods.
Implementation Method 1
depositing a hydrophilic functional group-containing compound on the surface of a biodegradable suture yarn made of a biodegradable polymer
Implementation Method 2
bonding a cell compatible material to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biodegradable suture-type cell delivery system, a preparation method thereof and a biodegradable suture comprising the same. The biodegradable suture-type cell delivery system has improved cell compatibility as a result of depositing a hydrophilic functional group-containing compound on the surface of a biodegradable suture yarn made of a biodegradable polymer, a portion of which has partially a bulky structure beneficial for the proliferation of cells or living tissue, so as to hydrophilically modify the surface, and then bonding a cell compatible material to the surface, and also functions as a cell culture scaffold, because the bulky structure is beneficial for the proliferation of cells. Accordingly, the biodegradable suture-type cell delivery system can improve the rate of engraftment of stem cells in vivo.