Methods and apparatus for application of micro-mechanical forces to tissues

• US 7,494,482 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated, Children's Medical Center Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated
• Inventors: Saxena, Vishal, Garfein, Evan Stuart, Hwang, Chao-Wei, Eichbaum, Quentin Gavin, Orgill, Dennis P., Ingber, Donald E., Huang, Sui
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US10/146,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20030108587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,477 Days
• Field of Search: 604305-308, 604/304, 623 1- 123, 623/1.44, 623 146- 148, 606/191, 606/192, 424/423, 424/426
• US Class Current: 604/305
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/401 using air flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00 Bandages or dressings radioactive dressings A61N5/1029; Absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00063 comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00987 Apparatus or processes for manufacturing non-adhesive dressings or bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01008 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01034 characterised by a property
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/05 specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/286 Bone stimulation by mechanical vibrations for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30955 using finite-element analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00221 biodegradable, non-irritating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00327 to create projections or depressions in surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00365 use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00574 shaped as a body part A61F2013/00187 take precedence; use of plasters A61F2013/00365; containing means for different purposes A61F2013/00902
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00927 with biological activity, e.g. enzymes for debriding wounds or others, collagen or growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/42 Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties liquid bandages A61L26/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/425 : Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 : Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 : Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 : specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 : with liquid supply means

Abstract

Methods and devices for transmitting micromechanical forces locally to induce surface convolutions into tissues on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing are presented. These convolutions induce a moderate stretching of individual cells, stimulating cellular proliferation and elaboration of natural growth factors without increasing the size of the wound. Micromechanical forces can be applied directly to tissue, through biomolecules or the extracellular matrix. This invention can be used with biosensors, biodegradable materials and drug delivery systems. This invention will also be useful in pre-conditioned tissue-engineering constructs in vitro. Application of this invention will shorten healing times for wounds and reduce the need for invasive surgery.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device for promoting tissue growth, said device comprising:

a variable composition matrix for application to the tissue, said matrix having a plurality of pores;

a compliant biodegradable tube wherein said tube is coated with ECM proteins and configured for inflation; and

a stiff biodegradable wire, wherein said wire is coiled around an external wall of said tube;

such that said tube when inflated protrudes through the wire so as to exert micro-mechanical forces on the tissue.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said tube comprises a plurality of dialysis-membrane sized pores.

3. A method for promoting tissue growth, said method comprising the steps of

a. providing a therapeutic device comprising a variable composition matrix for application to the tissue, said matrix having a plurality of pores;

a compliant biodegradable tube wherein said tube is coated with ECM proteins and configured for inflation; and

a stiff biodegradable wire, wherein said wire is coiled around an external wail of said tube;

such that said tube when inflated protrudes through the wire so as to exert micro-mechanical forces on the tissue,

b. applying said matrix adjacent to the tissue; and

c. delivering micro-mechanical forces to the tissue through said variable composition matrix.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising monitoring the microenvironment of a wound bed of a patient with a sensor wherein the sensor comprises a piezoelectric gauge.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor measures at least one of wound temperature, wound perfusion, wound pH, wound pO₂, wound pCO₂, and wound glucose.