Tissue-Engineered Intervertebral Disc With Aligned Collagen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for degenerative disc disease, such as spinal fusion and synthetic implantation, are limited by material failure, biocompatibility issues, and inability to restore mechanical function of intervertebral discs, with existing tissue engineering approaches focusing on individual tissue components rather than composite structures that mimic native intervertebral disc architecture.

Innovation Solution

A tissue-engineered intervertebral disc is developed, comprising a nucleus pulposus structure with living cells secreting hydrophilic proteins and an annulus fibrosus structure with circumferentially aligned type I collagen fibrils, achieved through cell-mediated contraction of collagen gels, to replicate the native disc's mechanical properties and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If spinal fusion or synthetic implantation is used to treat degenerative disc disease, then mechanical support is provided, but material failure and biocompatibility issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidmaterial failure and biocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the implant material from synthetic polymers and metals to living biological tissue. This transformation allows the implant to dynamically adapt its properties (strength, compliance, biocompatibility) over time, resolving the contradiction between providing mechanical support and avoiding material failure/biocompatibility issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue-engineered disc uses living cells that continuously produce and remodel extracellular matrix, enabling the implant to self-maintain and adapt its mechanical properties. This self-service capability eliminates the material failure and biocompatibility problems associated with static synthetic implants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If synthetic implants are used for disc replacement, then motion between vertebral bodies is enabled, but wear and fatigue occur due to material limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion between vertebral bodiesVSAvoidimplant lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The living tissue continuously remodels its extracellular matrix through cellular activity, enabling the implant to adapt to mechanical loading and maintain its functional properties indefinitely, unlike synthetic materials that accumulate wear and fatigue over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure with nucleus pulposus-like tissue containing proteoglycans and collagen, surrounded by annulus fibrosus-like tissue with layered collagen fibers. This composite biological structure provides both motion capability and long-term durability through continuous biological maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If existing tissue engineering approaches focus on individual tissue components, then specific tissue functions are restored, but native intervertebral disc architecture and mechanical function are not fully replicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue function restorationVSAvoidarchitecture replication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate tissue engineering approaches (nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus) into a single integrated composite construct. The nucleus pulposus-like tissue is encapsulated within the annulus fibrosus-like tissue, replicating the native disc architecture and enabling coordinated mechanical function that individual component approaches cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively generates composite tissue-engineered intervertebral discs with aligned collagen structures that restore mechanical function in animal models, maintaining disc height and preventing deformity, demonstrating potential for long-term functional replacement of degenerated discs.

Implementation Method 1

The nucleus pulposus portion of the disc comprises a first population of living cells and a hydrophilic protein gel matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProteoglycan secretion:

Implementation Method 2

The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosus structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosus structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCell-mediated contraction:

Data Source

PatentUS20240024537A1Tissue-engineered intervertebral disc with living cells

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 CORNELL UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.