Viable Pig Skin Model for Cosmetics and Pharma Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current skin models for assessing pharmacological and cosmetic effects are inadequate due to limited viability, reproducibility, and prognostic value, as they often rely on monolayer cultures or reconstructed skin models that do not accurately represent human skin interactions, and existing ex vivo pig skin models have short viability and require frequent calibration.
Innovation Solution
A pig skin model comprising an epidermis, dermis, and subcutis layer with a hair follicle density of at least 15 follicles per cm², taken from the neck or dorsal part of a pig, which is viable for more than seven days and allows for the assessment of a wide range of biological parameters, including hair growth and skin reactions, by maintaining the subcutis layer and using specific culture media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional monolayer cultures of skin cell types are used, then the time required for establishing cultures is considerably long, but the model fails to accurately represent three-dimensional cell interaction and cell type interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intact skin samples from pigs as a copy of human skin, preserving the natural three-dimensional architecture and multiple cell type interactions without requiring long-term cell culture establishment. This approach copies the complex in vivo skin structure directly, avoiding the time-consuming process of building artificial monolayer cultures while maintaining physiological relevance.
2Reliability
If ex vivo pig skin samples are used, then the morphological and functional characteristics are similar to human skin, but the maximum time of viability is limited to seven days requiring frequent sample replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies specific culture media formulations and environmental parameters to extend the viability of ex vivo pig skin samples beyond the conventional seven-day limit. By optimizing cultural conditions including nutrient composition, pH, temperature, and atmospheric composition, the model maintains physiological functionality for extended periods, reducing the frequency of sample replacement while preserving predictive accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If subcutaneous fat is removed from pig skin samples, then handling becomes easier, but significant parts of hair bulb, apocrine and eccrine glands are lost reducing prognostic value
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely removing subcutaneous fat as in conventional models, the patent applies partial removal or thinning of the fat layer, retaining enough adipose tissue to preserve hair bulbs, apocrine and eccrine glands while still improving handling characteristics. This partial action maintains the essential prognostic value of the model while achieving practical ease of operation.
4Measurement precision
If frequent calibration is performed to maintain model accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous viability of skin samples through optimized culture conditions, allowing uninterrupted testing over extended periods. This continuity eliminates the need for frequent calibration and sample replacement, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving productivity by enabling long-term experiments with the same sample cohort.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a pig skin sample as a skin model, particularly for the assessment of pharmacological and cosmetic effects.