Water-Soluble dECM Composition Using Supercritical CO2

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional decellularization methods often result in the removal or denaturation of bioactive substances in the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to reduced biological activity and potential toxicity from residual surfactants, while also increasing osmotic pressure, making it difficult to compound with other substances effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of supercritical carbon dioxide to treat a dECM powder at 31 to 60 °C, which maintains bioactive substance content and biological activity, and avoids the use of acidic or alkaline solvents, ensuring low osmotic pressure and efficient compounding with other materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional decellularization methods are used, then cellular components are removed from biological tissue, but bioactive substances in the dECM are removed or denatured, reducing biological activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological activityVSAvoidbioactive substances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature (31-60°C) and using supercritical carbon dioxide to alter the physical-chemical state during decellularization, preserving bioactive substances while removing cellular components. This resolves the contradiction by modifying process parameters to prevent denaturation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide as an inert solvent environment that removes cellular components without causing denaturation of bioactive substances. The inert nature of CO2 protects the biochemical integrity of the dECM, maintaining biological activity while achieving decellularization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If conventional surfactants are used in decellularization, then cellular components are removed, but residual surfactant remains causing toxicity upon in vivo application

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidresidual surfactant toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional surfactants with supercritical carbon dioxide, an inert substance that does not leave toxic residues. The CO2 evaporates completely after decellularization, eliminating surfactant toxicity while maintaining effective cellular component removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide as a temporary, disposable solvent that serves its decellularization function and then completely evaporates, leaving no persistent harmful residues. This contrasts with conventional surfactants that may remain as residual contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional decellularization methods are used, then cellular components are removed, but osmotic pressure of the composition increases, decreasing mixing efficiency with other substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompounding efficiencyVSAvoidosmotic pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from conventional aqueous surfactant solutions to supercritical carbon dioxide. This parameter change results in lower osmotic pressure in the final composition, improving mixing efficiency and compounding capability with other cosmetic or medical materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method preserves the bioactive substances and biological activity of the dECM, reduces toxicity, and facilitates easy compounding with other substances, making it suitable for cosmetic and medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

treating a solution comprising a dECM powder with supercritical carbon dioxide, wherein the treating with the supercritical carbon dioxide is performed at 31 to 60 °C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid extraction: Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Data Source

PatentEP4692315A1Water-soluble decellularized substrate based on supercritical carbon dioxide process

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MEDIFAB CO LTD

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AI summary

According to a method of an aspect, the content and biological activity of bioactive substances in the dECM may be maintained during a dissolution process of the dECM through a supercritical carbon dioxide process, and low osmotic pressure may be maintained. Therefore, a water-soluble dECM composition, prepared according to the method of an aspect, and a dECM material including the same have low biotoxicity, and excellent tissue regeneration ability, and may be efficiently complexed with other substances, and thus may be effectively used as a cosmetic or medical material.