Innovative Lung Repair with Advanced Hydrogel Sealant Technology

Introduction

Lung injuries, whether caused by trauma, surgery, or disease, present significant challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. Traditional methods of lung tissue repair often involve mechanical sealing techniques or synthetic adhesives, which can lead to complications such as poor integration with the tissue, inflammation, or insufficient healing. Our patented cell-seeded porous lung hydrogel sealant offers a groundbreaking approach to tissue repair, utilizing cutting-edge biotechnology to improve outcomes and facilitate more effective recovery in patients with lung injuries or conditions.

The Need for Enhanced Lung Repair Solutions

Lung injuries can be difficult to treat due to the delicate nature of lung tissue and its critical role in oxygen exchange. Current treatments, such as mechanical sutures or synthetic sealants, often struggle to provide a reliable and biocompatible solution for sealing lung tissue. These methods can lead to issues like air leaks, prolonged healing times, or the risk of infection. Additionally, the lung’s constant movement during breathing makes it challenging for traditional methods to remain effective over time, creating a need for a more dynamic and biologically compatible solution.

Advanced Hydrogel Technology for Lung Tissue Repair

Our cell-seeded porous lung hydrogel sealant addresses these challenges by providing a bioengineered solution that promotes tissue regeneration while effectively sealing lung injuries. The hydrogel is seeded with cells that aid in the healing process, allowing for better integration with the surrounding lung tissue. Its porous structure enables the hydrogel to conform to the dynamic movements of the lung, providing a flexible and durable seal. This innovation not only reduces the risk of air leaks but also enhances the overall healing process by supporting tissue regeneration at the injury site.

The cell-seeded hydrogel promotes biocompatibility, reducing the risk of inflammation or rejection while creating an environment conducive to natural lung tissue growth. This technology is particularly suited for use in pulmonary surgeries, trauma care, and lung disease treatment, offering a highly effective and biologically friendly option for patients in need of lung repair.

Advantages of This Lung Hydrogel Sealant

Improved Biocompatibility: The cell-seeded hydrogel integrates with the surrounding lung tissue, reducing complications such as inflammation and promoting faster healing.
Flexibility and Durability: Its porous structure allows the hydrogel to conform to lung movements, providing a reliable and long-lasting seal.
Tissue Regeneration: The inclusion of cells within the hydrogel supports tissue growth, enhancing the body’s natural healing response.
Broad Medical Applications: Ideal for use in lung surgery, trauma care, and treating pulmonary conditions, this technology offers versatility across the medical field.

A Leap Forward in Lung Healing

Licensing this innovative lung hydrogel sealant technology offers healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers an opportunity to advance the field of pulmonary care. By combining biocompatibility with enhanced tissue regeneration capabilities, this technology provides a critical solution for addressing lung injuries, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the risks associated with traditional repair methods.

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Abstract
Claims

Disclosed are a biosealant system and method for treatment of a pulmonary air leak comprising applying the biosealant system to the locus of the air leak.

What is claimed is:

1. A biosealant composition comprising an extracellular matrix hydrogel and a thermogel having pores, the pores having an average diameter of about 0.025 mm to about 0.90 mm;

wherein the extracellular matrix hydrogel comprises a first extracellular matrix protein, an unbranched polysaccharide, and an elastic protein; and

wherein the thermogel comprises a gelatinous material and a cross-linking enzyme in an amount sufficient to result in gelation of the thermogel at a temperature from about 35° C. to 37° C.

2. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the first extracellular matrix protein is collagen, wherein the elastic protein is elastin, and wherein the unbranched polysaccharide is sulfated glycosaminoglycan.

3. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the cross-linking enzyme is transglutaminase.

4. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the extracellular matrix hydrogel also comprises additional therapeutics selected from the group consisting of: cells, microsomes, peptides, drugs and a combination thereof.

5. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the cross-linking enzyme is present in an amount from about 0.5 units/mL to 5 units/mL.

6. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the gelatinous material is gelatin.

7. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the biosealant composition does not contain fibrin.

8. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the first extracellular matrix protein is present in an amount from about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the total weight of the first extracellular matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

9. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the unbranched polysaccharide is present in an amount from about 0.5% by weight to about 15% by weight of the total weight of the first extracellular matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

10. The biosealant composition of claim 1, wherein the elastic protein is present in an amount from about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the total weight of the first extracellular matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

11. A method of making the biosealant composition according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

mixing a first extracellular matrix protein, an unbranched polysaccharide, an elastic protein, and a first cross-linking enzyme to form an extracellular matrix hydrogel;

mixing a gelatinous material in saline with a second cross-linking enzyme to form a thermogel;

heating the thermogel to about 52° C. to 55° C.; and

making the thermogel porous.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of making the thermogel porous comprises applying a bubbling gas with a bubble generator through the thermogel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first extracellular matrix protein is collagen, wherein the elastic protein is elastin, wherein the unbranched polysaccharide is sulfated glycosaminoglycan, and wherein the first and second cross-linking enzyme is transglutaminase.

14. A biosealant composition comprising an extracellular matrix hydrogel and a thermogel comprising a gelatinous material and a cross-linking enzyme in an amount sufficient to result in gelation of the thermogel at a temperature from about 35° C. to 37° C., wherein the thermogel has pores of average diameter of about 0.025 mm to 0.90 mm;

wherein the extracellular matrix hydrogel comprises a first extracellular matrix protein, an unbranched polysaccharide, and an elastic protein; and

wherein the extracellular matrix hydrogel comprises additional therapeutics selected from the group consisting of cells, microsomes, peptides, drugs and a combination thereof.

15. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the cross-linking enzyme is transglutaminase.

16. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the gelatinous material is gelatin.

17. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the biosealant composition does not contain fibrin.

18. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the first extracellular matrix protein is present in an amount from about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the total weight of the first extracellular matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

19. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the unbranched polysaccharide is present in an amount from about 0.5% by weight to about 15% by weight of the total weight of the first extracelluar matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

20. The biosealant composition of claim 14, wherein the elastic protein is present in an amount from about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the total weight of the first extracelluar matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel.

21. A biosealant composition comprising an extracellular matrix hydrogel comprising

a first extracellular matrix protein, an unbranched polysaccharide, and an elastic protein and

a thermogel comprising a gelatinous material and a cross-linking enzyme in an amount sufficient to result in gelation of the thermogel at a temperature from about 35° C. to 37° C.,

wherein the elastic protein is present in an amount from about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the total weight of the first extracelluar matrix protein, unbranched polysaccharide, and elastic protein of the extracellular matrix hydrogel, and the thermogel has pores having an average diameter of about 0.025 mm to 0.90 mm.

22. The biosealant composition of claim 21, wherein the first extracellular matrix protein is collagen, wherein the elastic protein is elastin, and wherein the unbranched polysaccharide is sulfated glycosaminoglycan.

23. The biosealant composition of claim 21, wherein the cross-linking enzyme is transglutaminase.

24. The biosealant composition of claim 21, wherein the extracellular matrix hydrogel also comprises additional therapeutics selected from the group consisting of: cells, microsomes, peptides, drugs and a combination thereof.

25. The biosealant composition of claim 21, wherein the gelatinous material is gelatin.

26. The biosealant composition of claim 21, wherein the biosealant composition does not contain fibrin.

Title

Cell-seeded porous lung hydrogel sealant

Inventor(s)

Matthew Bacchetta, Brandon Guenthart, Jinho Kim, John O'Neill, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic

Assignee(s)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Patent #

11291747

Patent Date

April 5, 2022