Tissue Expansion Passive Splint Stent Recoil Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue engineering techniques face challenges in creating functional tissue-engineered solid organs due to the lack of a functional internal capillary network, limiting their application to superficial constructs like skin and blood vessels, and existing external expansion methods are cumbersome and may cause tissue recoil.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a passive splint or stent that applies sustained tension to the tissue through injection of physiologic fluid, allowing the tissue to form a stromal matrix without the need for external devices, and a kit combining a vacuum pump with passive splints for stepwise tissue expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional external expansion devices are used, then tissue expansion can be achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and may cause tissue recoil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of external expansion devices (applying sustained tension) and transfers it to an internal implantable device. The expander is placed inside the body cavity, eliminating the need for external mechanical apparatus while maintaining the tissue expansion effect through internal pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a biocompatible membrane as an intermediary layer between the expander and the tissue. This membrane mediates the interaction by distributing the expansion force uniformly while preventing direct contact between the mechanical device and biological tissue, thereby avoiding tissue damage and recoil.
2Productivity
If tissue is expanded rapidly, then time for treatment is reduced, but tissue recoil and loss of expansion成果 occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements stepwise expansion through periodic inflation of the expander device. The expander is inflated in controlled increments at scheduled intervals, allowing tissue to adapt gradually to each expansion phase. This periodic action prevents sudden tissue recoil while maintaining progressive expansion momentum.
Solution Approach 2:
The biocompatible membrane provides beforehand cushioning by distributing expansion forces uniformly across the tissue surface. This preventive measure cushions the tissue against localized stress concentrations that could trigger recoil, ensuring stable expansion throughout the treatment process.
3Reliability
If prostheses are used for tissue expansion, then expansion效果 is achieved, but risks of implant failure and rejection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs autologous adipose tissue as the expansion material, harvested from the patient's own body. This self-service approach eliminates immunological rejection risks associated with allogeneic or synthetic prostheses. The patient's own tissue serves both as the expansion medium and as compatible biological material that integrates with surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of expansion material from foreign prosthetic substances to autologous biological tissue. This parameter change transforms the system from one subject to rejection and failure risks to one using biocompatible, living tissue that can integrate and function naturally within the body.
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 creation of a stromal scaffold with a functional capillary network in situ, reducing tissue recoil and improving patient compliance by providing a comfortable, customizable, and biocompatible solution for tissue expansion.
Implementation Method 1
a passive splint or stent that applies sustained tension to the tissue through injection of physiologic fluid
Implementation Method 2
vacuum pump with passive splints for stepwise tissue expansion
Implementation Method 3
injection of physiologic fluid, allowing the tissue to form a stromal matrix without the need for external devices
Implementation Method 4
The device includes an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a surface of the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A device for maintaining or achieving soft tissue expansion applicable to any body region already temporarily expanded including: an adhesive element deformable and capable of adapting to the shape of this body region, and which can then itself become mechanically rigid enough to resist tendency of the expanded tissue to recoil or to which a second material can be applied to form a stent adapted to the shape of the body area to provide the necessary structural rigidity to prevent recoil of the expansion and thereby induce its retention of its expanded shape after the stent is removed.