Vascularized Scaffold for Tissue Reconstruction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for breast reconstruction and tissue reconstruction face challenges such as capsular contracture, necrosis, and resorption of transplanted tissue due to insufficient vascularization, leading to suboptimal aesthetic and functional outcomes, and require invasive procedures with long healing times and significant scarring.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional scaffold structure with biodegradable materials and voids filled with removably attached space-occupying structures that prevent tissue invasion, allowing for prevascularization and subsequent introduction of transplantation cells into a pre-formed bed of connective tissue, facilitating minimally invasive procedures and reducing tissue necrosis and resorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tissue reconstruction methods are used, then tissue replacement is achieved, but capsular contracture and tissue necrosis occur due to insufficient vascularization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue survival rateVSAvoidcapsular contracture and necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a vascularized connective tissue bed within the scaffold structure before introducing transplantation cells. The scaffold is first implanted and allowed to develop natural vascularization and connective tissue growth, creating a pre-prepared bed that mimics in vivo conditions. This preliminary vascularization ensures adequate blood supply is established before the transplanted tissue is introduced, preventing necrosis and capsular contracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous materials by employing a three-dimensional scaffold structure with controlled porosity and interconnected voids. This porous architecture allows for infiltration of host tissue, vascular ingrowth, and nutrient diffusion throughout the implant. The interconnected pores facilitate natural vascularization and connective tissue formation, creating pathways for blood vessels to penetrate and establish a vascular network throughout the scaffold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Loss of time

If transplanted tissue is introduced directly without prevascularization, then reconstruction is achieved quickly, but tissue resorption and necrosis occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing timeVSAvoidtissue resorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a vascularized connective tissue bed within the scaffold structure before introducing transplantation cells. The scaffold is first implanted and allowed to develop natural vascularization and connective tissue growth, creating a pre-prepared bed that mimics in vivo conditions. This preliminary vascularization ensures adequate blood supply is established before the transplanted tissue is introduced, preventing necrosis and capsular contracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If invasive surgical procedures are used for tissue introduction, then tissue integration is achieved, but scarring and long healing times result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue integrationVSAvoidscarring and healing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing invasive mechanical surgical procedures with a minimally invasive approach. Instead of requiring large incisions and extensive surgical manipulation to introduce tissue, the system uses a biodegradable scaffold that is implanted and then allows for minimally invasive introduction of transplantation cells through the scaffold's porous structure. This substitution reduces mechanical trauma to tissues, minimizing scarring and healing time while maintaining effective tissue integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10799336B2Medical/surgical implant

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 KLINIKUM REKHTS DER IZAR DER TEKHNISHEN UNIV MYUNKHEN

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of implants. In particular, the present invention relates to an implant for tissue reconstruction which comprises a scaffold structure that includes a void system for the generation of prevascularized connective tissue with void spaces for cell and/or tissue transplantation. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing such an implant, to the internal architecture of such an implant, to a removal tool for mechanical removal of space-occupying structures from such an implant, to a kit comprising such an implant and such a removal tool, to a removal device for the removal of superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic space-occupying structures from such an implant, as well as to a guiding device for providing feedback to a surgeon during the procedure of introducing transplantation cells into the void spaces generated upon removal of space-occupying structures from such an implant.