Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) - Volume 6, Issue 1, 2013

Many tissue engineering constructs comprise scaffolds with spatially homogenous properties that have uniformly seeded populations of cells. The broadly uniform morphologies of such constructs do not reflect the complexity of the tissues they are designed to emulate, limiting their application for future clinical goals. In order to begin to address this limitation, a range of technologies have been developed that are better able to replicate tissue architecture. These technologies show significant potential but are at a relatively early stage of development and a number of significant challenges need to be overcome before such techniques can be developed into effective clinical products. This review will discuss the basic principles of these technologies and the patterning applications that have been developed to date with reference to the patent literature. Consideration will also be given to potential commercialisation strategies for both patterning platforms and patterned constructs which they are used to produce.

In this millennium, tissue engineering for soft tissue repair has expanded to include regenerative medicine. Researchers are tirelessly developing new ideas and methods for engineering fully functional tissue. Introduced are four major areas of soft tissue musculoskeletal research: ligament, cartilage, muscle and rotator cuff. Investigators are pursuing tissue regenerative medicine therapies to provide functionality and promote development of musculoskeletal neo-tissue. This article addresses some of the recent patents that help regenerate musculoskeletal tissues using genes, cells and scaffolds.

This review discusses current strategies, patents, and ongoing research that address the limitations of current practices and FDA approved devices for neural tissue regeneration. Current clinical practices for treating peripheral nerve damage utilize autografts and nerve guidance conduits (NGCs), which are only applicable for small nerve gaps of around 30 mm. Furthermore, there are no clinical treatments for central nervous system (CNS) damage; although a variety of scaffolds have been explored. Selecting the proper biomaterial is crucial in developing these NGCs and scaffolds. Current FDA approved NGC devices utilize different materials with varying advantages and limitations in biodegradability, rigidity (to withstand collapse after implantation), porosity, and biocompatibility (minimize toxic by-products). These advantages and limitations help outline ideal material properties that have been used in NGC design. One beneficial material property that has not been considered in these FDA approved devices is conductivity, which is important for neural applications since the key component of neural communication in the body is the action potential generated at the synapse. In order to address the limitations of current NGCs and incorporate other advantageous properties of materials (e.g. conductivity), different materials, fabrication techniques, and biological cues have been explored. This same logic can apply to developing scaffolds for CNS damage.

Bone is a living, dynamic, vascular, mineralized, connective tissue, characterized by its hardness, resistance and ability to remodel and repair itself. It provides structural support and protection for the bone and vital organs and it serves as a mineral (calcium) and blood cell reservoir for the body. Bone loss and skeletal deficiencies due to traumatic injury, abnormal development, or cancer are major problems worldwide, frequently requiring surgical intervention. Current treatments have achieved a level of success, but still have limitations. Researchers have begun to enhance current treatments and develop novel bone grafts from biological or synthetic materials. These options include the use of biocompatible polymers to mimic trabecular and cortical bone, hormones or growth factors, and bioactive ceramic glass. This patent review presents backgrounds on bone biology and structure, current treatments for damaged bone and bone defects, and new bone grafting technologies in hopes of creating an optimal bone graft substitute.

Recently, magnetic-based theranostic nanoparticle (MBTN) systems have been studied, researched, and applied extensively to detect and treat various diseases including cancer. Theranostic nanoparticles are advantageous in that the diagnosis and treatment of a disease can be performed in a single setting using combinational strategies of targeting, imaging, and/or therapy. Of these theranostic strategies, magnetic-based systems containing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have gained popularity because of their unique ability to be used in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic targeting, hyperthermia, and controlled drug release. To increase their effectiveness, MNPs have been decorated with a wide variety of materials to improve their biocompatibility, carry therapeutic payloads, encapsulate/bind imaging agents, and provide functional groups for conjugation of biomolecules that provide receptor-mediated targeting of the disease. This review summarizes recent patents involving various polymer coatings, imaging agents, therapeutic agents, targeting mechanisms, and applications along with the major requirements and challenges faced in using MBTN for disease management.

Blood pressure measurement (BPM) accuracy is greatly important for adequately preventing, diagnosing, and treating many associated cardiovascular diseases. This paper presents a review of the factors determining the BPM accuracy such as the record accuracy, different artifacts, simulators, test devices, algorithmic meanings for blood pressure determination, appropriate choice of cuff and pump, data signal processing as well as novel methods and devices for accurate BPM. We represent here a discussion on BPM accuracy and various patents regarding the same problem and have found multiple patents that propose useful and ingenious decisions concerning different sides of BPM. Most presently proposed patents are worth validating and introducing into the medical practice (when not done at the time of this study). Some patents rely on their own validation studies to prove their applicability for a better BPM accuracy. Finally, completely new methods and devices are cited that allege to be more accurate and are currently in use. An intensive work is in progress with hopes of finding new methods and algorithms to overcome the drawbacks and inaccuracy of the recent BPM methods.