Decellularized Tendon Matrix Hydrogel for Growth Factor Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for treating tendon injuries, such as tears, often require surgical intervention and do not effectively preserve the native tendon's growth factors, leading to inadequate tendon regeneration and healing.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to produce a decellularized tendon matrix (DTM) composition by mincing, decellularizing, milling, digesting, and lyophilizing tendon tissue using specific enzymes like MMP and collagenase, while incorporating an antimicrobial agent and sterile aqueous carrier, to preserve growth factors and enhance tendon regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical intervention is used to treat tendon injuries, then the injury can be addressed, but the native tendon's growth factors are not preserved and regeneration is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetendon regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidgrowth factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes cellular components from tendon tissue through decellularization processes, isolating the extracellular matrix that contains growth factors. This allows the growth factors to be preserved and utilized for tendon regeneration without the interference of cellular elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards cellular debris and non-essential components through decellularization, while recovering and preserving the growth factors within the extracellular matrix. The growth factors are maintained in the decellularized tendon matrix for subsequent use in promoting tendon regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If decellularization processes are applied to tendon tissue, then growth factors are preserved, but the tissue must undergo multiple processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth factor preservationVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tendon tissue processing into distinct stages: decellularization to remove cells, digestion to break down collagen, and lyophilization to preserve the matrix. Each segment serves a specific function and can be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the form of enzymatic treatment conditions and lyophilization parameters to optimize the preservation of growth factors. By controlling pH, temperature, and enzyme concentration, the process maintains growth factor integrity while achieving effective decellularization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the decellularized tendon matrix is made moldable, then it can be shaped to fit anatomical topography, but the matrix structure must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical topography adaptationVSAvoidmatrix structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modifications to the decellularized tendon matrix by creating regions with different degrees of collagen digestion. This allows certain areas to remain structurally intact while other areas become more moldable, enabling adaptation to specific anatomical shapes without compromising overall matrix stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 DTM composition effectively retains over 50% of growth factors, is moldable, and promotes tendon regeneration, healing, and repair, offering a non-surgical solution for tendon injuries.

Implementation Method 1

digesting with a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) selected from the group consisting of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, or combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme digestion: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

the method comprises digesting with a collagenase described herein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollagenase digestion: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

the decellularizing step comprises exposing the minced tendon tissue specimen to a DNase, an RNase, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDNase digestion: Enzyme

Implementation Method 4

lyophilizing the digested, decellularized tendon to produce a lyophilized tendon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreeze drying: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentUS12569594B2Decellularized tendon matrix methods and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 THE STEADMAN CLINIC & STEADMAN PHILIPPON RES INST

AI summary

Methods of making decellularized tendon matrix (DTM) and DTM hydrogels are provided. These compositions and hydrogels are useful for repairing tendon injuries and in some cases may be used by injection, arthroscopic procedures, or as adjuncts to traditional surgical repair.