Native Wharton's Jelly Stem Cell Purification Without Culture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing Wharton's Jelly stem cells require culturing, which alters their molecular characteristics and reduces their potency compared to minimally manipulated cells.
Innovation Solution
A method for purifying stem cells from Wharton's Jelly without culturing, involving mechanical and enzymatic digestion, followed by separation and centrifugation to obtain noncultured stem cells, which are then used therapeutically or cultured from undigested tissue remnants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Wharton's Jelly stem cells are cultured in vitro, then the cells can be expanded and processed, but their molecular characteristics change and their potency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing enzymatic digestion and mechanical mincing of Wharton's Jelly tissue before cell culture to pre-release stem cells in their native state. This preliminary processing allows subsequent culture expansion while minimizing the time cells spend in culture, thereby preserving their molecular characteristics and potency while still enabling productivity through controlled expansion of pre-prepared cells.
2Productivity
If Wharton's Jelly tissue is digested enzymatically, then stem cells are released for purification, but undigested tissue fragments remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the Wharton's Jelly tissue into small minced pieces before enzymatic digestion. This segmentation increases the surface area available for enzyme action, improving digestion completeness and cell release efficiency. The segmented approach ensures more uniform and thorough enzymatic processing, reducing undigested fragments while maximizing stem cell recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by combining mechanical mincing with enzymatic digestion in a continuous process. The mechanical disruption continuously exposes new tissue surfaces to the enzyme, maintaining high digestion efficiency throughout the process. This continuous action ensures complete tissue breakdown and maximum cell release without leaving significant undigested fragments.
3Productivity
If mechanical mincing is performed to increase tissue surface area, then enzymatic digestion efficiency improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the mechanical mincing process to automatically prepare the tissue in a state that is optimally suited for enzymatic digestion. The mechanical disruption of tissue into small pieces inherently increases surface area without requiring additional complex equipment or steps. The tissue essentially prepares itself for efficient enzymatic processing through the initial mechanical breakdown, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high digestion efficiency.
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 yields stem cells that are more potent in vivo and maintain distinct molecular profiles, offering superior therapeutic potential for tissue regeneration and engraftment compared to cultured cells.
Implementation Method 1
exposing it to a chemical or an enzyme such as a protease, for example, a collagenase, a hyaluronidase, or a dispase
Implementation Method 2
The sedimentation process can be accelerated by, for example, centrifugation
Data Source
AI summary
Noncultured Wharton's Jelly stem cells and methods of their purification, storage and use are provided.