Minimally invasive soft tissue repair using shrunken scaffolds

Mingjun Xie, Shengxi Jin, Kang Yu, Hui Lin () and Yong He ()
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Mingjun Xie: School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University
Shengxi Jin: School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Kang Yu: School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University
Hui Lin: School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Yong He: School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The minimally invasive injection of tissue engineering scaffolds is of interest as it requires a smaller incision and quickens recovery. However, the engineering of scaffolds capable of injection remains a challenge. Here, we report on a shrunken scaffold inspired by the shrinking of puffed food in a humid environment. A scaffold is freeze-dried to remove water then placed in a humid atmosphere. The humidity causes the dry scaffold to shrink by up to 90%. In addition, the humidity treatment reduces the scaffolds modulus minimizing the foreign body response after implantation. The scaffolds can rapidly swell into their original size and shape after application. A tool for the delivery of the minimally invasive scaffolds is developed and we demonstrate the potential for minimally invasive delivery using this shrinking technique.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51248-2

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