Patent Application: US-30371407-A

Abstract:
the present invention refers to an integrated implant system constituted as a gel - matrix - cells integrated system , that allows providing implants in a brief time period , for covering a great skin extension to be treated , with a successful acceptance in patients with burns , chronic damage or wound skin , needing of a skin grafting .

Description:
the present invention corresponds to an integrated implant system ( iis ), wherein into a matrix or porous support a gel or polymer components is incorporated and get absorbed into the matrix and in situ clots . in a preferred modality , the present invention corresponds to an integrated implant system ( iis ), wherein into a matrix or porous support are incorporated the components of a gel or polymer with an active agent or with the desired cells , which are absorbed in the inner part of the matrix , coagulating in situ . wherein the active agent can be selected from the group consisting of : plants , animals or microorganisms natural extracts ; chemicals , pharmaceuticals , cosmetics or polymers , their salts or derivatives ; macromolecules or microorganisms . iis applications may be many and multiple , depending on the presence of active agents and / or cells . in the case it contains cells , the applications will depend of the features and the cell type to be applied in the iis , the type of porous matrix and the polymer type to be integrated . even , the sii could be used as a carrier , for therapeutic evaluation , for safety or efficiency of natural , chemical , pharmaceutical , cosmetic products , polymers or macromolecules . nevertheless , in a preferred modality the application will be related to treating , curing , or delivering a benefit for pathologies o for chronic or acute injuries , affecting the skin of a mammal , preferably humans . additionally , the invention comprises a method for preparing the iis from isolated cells , which will be integrated into the matrix forming the gel - matrix - cells iis . in a preferred modality , the applications will be intended to problems related with burns , wounds , ulcers , infections , surgeries , diseases and / or congenital abnormalities of the skin . particularly , the main objective and application of the invention is to be used as a surgical skin implant for burned people , chronic diseases or for regenerative treatments . also the iis can be used on a non damaged surface , a minimally damaged surface , or a surface that has surgically been prepared , and which for other reasons requires an iis graft . the iis is composed by a biocompatible cell - free reticulated matrix , known as support or scaffold , providing an easy to handle support . said scaffold may be acquired from those commercially available or may be prepared according to a production protocol , as is described below in the present invention or by other production protocol for preparing biocompatible polymers . for preparing the iis , it is possible to use a matrix composed of a full length natural or synthetic protein , or a polypeptide , as well as inorganic or organic polymers or their mixture . for example , a lyophilized collagen sponge can be used , either alone or combined with a carbohydrate ( a mucopolysaccharide , such as a glycosaminoglycan ( gag ), particularly chondroitin - 6 - sulphate ). the collagen can be bovine tissue collagen , from bovine tendon , or from other bovine sources ( bone or muscle ), other xenogenic sources ( for example from swine , sheep , goat , etcetera ), of human origin , recombinant or a combination of any of the previous . other proteins such as elastin or reticulin , or natural or synthetic amino acid polymers , may also be used . one preferred embodiment for the matrix used in the present invention is composed by gelatin - chitosan - hyaluronic acid . particularly , the matrix can be commercially available or it can be obtained according to the following process . in a preferred modality a matrix containing a concentration between about 0 . 5 to 5 %, preferably between about 1 to about 3 % of gelatin is used , a concentration between about 0 . 5 to 3 %, preferably between about 1 to about 2 % of chitosan is used , and a concentration between about 0 . 5 to 2 %, preferably between about 0 . 8 to about 0 . 5 % of hyaluronic acid is used , and preferably these components are used in a weight ratio of 7 : 2 : 1 , respectively . in one embodiment of the invention , the polymeric matrix may be prepared according to the following state of the art derived procedure ( haifeng l . et al . 2004 ): a gelatin solution ( 1 % w / v ) is mixed with a chitosan ( 2 % w / v ) solution , in 1 % v / v acetic acid solution , together with a hyaluronic acid ( 0 . 01 % w / v ) solution . said mixture is homogenized by stirring at 50 ° c ., during 30 minutes , subsequently the mixture is poured in a container or device for shaping it , for example a petri dish until the desired height . subsequently , the plate containing the mixture is cooled at 4 ° c ., until a gel is formed , which may subsequently be frozen at − 20 ° c ., during 8 hours , or at − 80 ° c . during 6 hours . said frozen gel is carefully immersed in liquid nitrogen , during 2 to 5 minutes , and finally is lyophilized during 24 - 48 hours . then , the lyophilized polymer is submerged in 20 ml of a 50 mm 2 - morpholine - ethane sulfonic acid ( mes ) solution , 90 % ethanol , during 30 minutes at room temperature . subsequently , the cross - linking is achieved submerging the obtained matrix in 20 ml of a cross - linking solution which is composed by 50 mm mes , 30 mm 1 - ethyl -( 3 , 3 - dimethyl - aminopropyl ) carbodiimide ( edc ) and 8 mm n - hydroxysuccinimide ( nhs ), in a 1 : 9 water : ethanol mixture . then , the matrix is allowed to stand for about 2 hours , washed with ethanol , frozen and submerged in liquid nitrogen for about 2 to 5 minutes , finally lyophilizing the obtained cross - linked polymeric matrix . alternatively , the formed iis is a biocompatible , cells - free , reticulated matrix , and which provides an easy to handle support , for a cells population to be integrated , previous to the implanting , comprising the components of a polymer or gel which is in situ polymerized . wherein said matrix may comprise the above indicated components , and may be obtained according to the above disclosed embodiments . in this embodiment of the invention , the cells used for being integrated within the matrix , embedded therein in order to form one embodiment of the sii , may be obtained from the patient to be treated ( autologous ), may be obtained from other human subject ( allogenic ), or may be obtained from other species ( xenogenics ), or obtained from many other sources ( chimeric ). in one preferred embodiment of the invention , the cells used in the development of the iis are autologous skin cells , either from dermis and / or epidermis . then , for developing the present invention , can be used epidermal cells , which may be selected , for example , from keratinocytes , melanocytes , immunocytes , stem cells or others ; and / or dermal cells , selected , per example , from fibroblasts , endothelial cells , immunocytes , nervous cells , myocytes , stem cells or others . the cells which will form the iis may be grown as a pure culture or as a mixed culture . once a suitable number of cells are obtained , the cellular populations are harvested for their inclusion within the matrix . in the embodiments of the invention , the cells may be integrated into the matrix , in solutions containing a concentration of up to 8 × 10 6 , preferably between 2 × 10 2 to 4 × 10 6 , more preferably between 3 . 5 × 10 2 to 4 × 10 6 , and the most preferred about 1 × 10 5 cells / ml . in one embodiment of the invention , the used cells are dermal and / or epidermal cells , the ratio of the cells used for inoculating the matrix is comprised within the range of about 20 : 1 to 1 : 20 of dermal cells : epidermal cells , in a preferred manner in ratios from 1 : 1 to 1 : 10 , more preferably between 1 : 2 and 1 : 5 , considering the usual ratios as from 1 : 2 to 1 : 4 . in other preferred embodiment of the invention , the iis is used as a temporary skin substitute . in this embodiment , the matrix may be seeded with cells having non autologous genotypes . further , the invention is intended as a method to prepare said iis for surgical grafting on skin wounds . on a biocompatible and porous matrix , as those previously described , one of the gel components is deposited , therefore incorporating it easily and quickly into the matrix , after which the next component is added causing the in situ gel formation . said gelified matrix is incubated under appropriate conditions for forming the iis of the invention . in a preferred embodiment , on a biocompatible , porous matrix , as those described in the present invention , a desired cells suspension is deposited , contained in one of the gel component , in order to easily and quickly incorporate the cells into the matrix , after which the next component is added , causing the in situ gel formation . said inoculated and gelified matrix is incubated under proper conditions for obtaining the integrated implant system ( iis ) of the invention . in one preferred embodiment of the present invention , the iis comprises dermal cells and / or epidermal cells population cultured under suitable conditions and which are obtained in the conventional manner , as described in the state of the art , which are deposited as a part of a cells suspension in a thrombin solution , onto the matrix . then , the integration of said cellular suspension within the matrix is carried out , preferably through the use of a thrombin and fibrinogen system , in such a way that a fibrin polymer is produced in situ resulting in an gel like environment , which allows the cells to get embedded within the matrix . alternatively , in the present invention , other system could be used for generating a gel with adhesive properties , such as the combinations of cyanoacrylate esters / water or amine , gelatin - resorcinol / aldehyde , natural bioadhesives / enzymes . once incubated this iis , it is considered in condition or ready for being surgically grafted to the patient , which can be carried out during the first day , i . e . in a period no longer than 24 hours , in one embodiment of the invention , from the moment when the desired cells , available in a culture , are integrated into the matrix . the availability of cultured cells highly reduces the need of a skin donor , in order to complete the closing of the extended and full thickness skin wounds . the cells suspension has a concentration of up to 8 × 10 6 cells / ml , preferably between 2 × 10 2 to 4 × 10 6 , more preferably between 3 . 5 × 10 2 to 4 × 10 6 , and in a preferred modality about 1 × 10 5 , wherein the cells are suspended in a thrombin solution at a concentration comprised between 25 to 750 nih / ml ( nih : enzymatic activity units ), more preferably 125 to 500 nih / ml and in a preferred manner about 250 nih / ml . the described fibrinogen solution can be used at a concentration comprised between 10 to 90 mg / ml , preferably between 10 - 50 mg / ml , preferably 15 - 30 mg / ml and more preferably about 20 mg / ml . in order to produce the iis , between 50 - 500 μl , preferably between 50 - 250 μl and more preferably about 100 μl / cm 2 of a thrombin solution are applied into the matrix . once the previous solution is absorbed , a fibrinogen solution at a ratio of 50 to 500 μl / cm 2 , preferably between 50 - 250 μl / cm 2 and more preferably of about 100 μl / cm 2 is applied onto the matrix , producing the fibrin gel formation , which gets incorporated , i . e . it gets integrated , into the matrix , providing a iis wherein matrix and gel are closely integrated in the matrix depth . the thrombin : fibrinogen ratio may fluctuate from 1 : 0 . 5 to 1 : 5 , preferably 1 : 0 . 5 to 1 : 2 . 5 and in a more preferred ratio 1 : 1 . in one preferred embodiment for structuring the iis , with the thrombin solution , suspended cells can be added in said solution , in such a way that when the fibrinogen is added , a fibrin gel is formed , wherein the gel gets integrated into the matrix and together to this the applied cells , such that in the iis , the components are closely related , in the full depth of the matrix , the gel , the cells with the matrix , as can be appreciated in fig3 . finally , the gel - matrix - cells iis is submerged in a suitable media , which can be selected from dmem / f - 12 , dmem , rpmi or mem , among others ; preferably it is submerged in dmem / f - 12 culture media . in one preferred modality , the iis and the method of the invention exhibit a great contribution and advantage , since they incorporate both the main skin cellular populations , i . e . fibroblasts and keratinocytes . for an appropriate restoration of the injured or damaged skin area , said condition results ideal . in said preferred embodiment , both cells types are integrated , simultaneously , within the gel - matrix - cells iis . preferably , said cells are autologous and the keratinocytes are not differentiated , therefore , they have a great potential for proliferation . other advantageous factor of the iis of one of the embodiments of the invention , as it has been mentioned , is that the cells are included , i . e . embedded within the iis . the iis performs as a carrier system , adapts to the shape of the wound , with an appropriate adjustment , which does not require of methods , devices or additional adhesives for fixing the iis to the skin wound to be treated . furthermore , it is 100 % biodegradable , having been identified the in vitro ability of the cells integrated into the iis of moving to the iis surroundings ( data not shown ). the carrier components are non - inert and exhibit antibacterial , chemotactic and proangiogenic properties , helping to an earlier wound healing . from a handling point of view , the iis does not require of additional supports neither of adhesives , which is highly beneficial since with a single and direct application the graft “ starting ” can be achieved , i . e . it gets adhered almost immediately , without the need of additional components or products for adhering it . once the integrated implant system has been grafted to the patient , and once the biodegradable matrix has been reabsorbed by the body , the cells get organized in order to form a functional skin tissue . the device comprises many of the properties and structures that are found in the normal non - damaged skin , and functions as in the usual way as does a non damaged skin , in order to protect the subject from the fluids loss and against bacterial infections . the integrated implant system establishes a basement membrane , and maintains the same anatomical configuration for the layers or cell populations in the same way as usually occurs in the non - damaged skin . the following examples and the detailed description of the invention , are related to the most preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention , however , these are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention . about 3 to 12 g of di - hydrate calcium chloride are dissolved in 1 liter of sterile milli - q water ( millipore ). sodium chloride is added until a solution with an osmolarity comprised between 280 - 320 mosm / l , is obtained . preferably 4 . 5 g of di - hydrate cacl2 and 6 . 1 g of nacl in 1 liter of water ( 300 mosm / l ), are used . an amount between 10 and 90 mg of fibrinogen in 1 ml of sterile milli - q water , is dissolved . preferably , 20 mg of a lyophilized product is used , with a minimal concentration of 65 % ( 13 mg ). in 1 ml of sterile calcium chloride and sodium chloride solution , between 250 and 500 nih thrombin are dissolved . preferably , 1 mg of a lyophilized product with an activity of 258 nih / mg - lyophilized product ( 258 nih ) is used . the iis preparation is always carried out in a sterile environment . thus , a polymeric matrix portion is provided , which is either commercially available or prepared according to the above indicated process , in an appropriate size for the required application . the matrix portion is sterilized , through methods usually known in the state of the art , as for instance , through irradiation , uv treatment or with and alcohol solution , without being restricted to said options . in one preferred embodiment , the matrix portion is submerged for a suitable time period , preferably for about 1 hour , in an aqueous alcohol solution , wherein said alcohol corresponds to a 50 % to 90 % alcohol solution in sterile milli - q water , preferably a 70 % aqueous alcohol solution , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol , propanol and iso - propanol . then , the matrix is removed and dried over a sterile absorbent paper . the matrix is placed in a suitable sterile container ( for example , a petri dish or other sterile container with appropriate dimensions for the selected matrix portion ) and over the matrix portion a thrombin solution is spread at a ratio of about 100 μl solution , to be applied over about 1 cm 2 of the polymer . subsequently , the absorption of the solution is allowed , which usually takes place within the first three minutes , preferable before 2 minutes . then , about 100 μl / cm 2 of fibrinogen is added over the matrix containing the absorbed solution . subsequently , the clot formation is visually verified , which means that the iis can be immediately used or conserved for later applications . in a complementary manner to the description of example 1 , in one preferred embodiment of the invention , it is possible to prepare an iis containing the desired cells integrated into the matrix - gel system . for such a case , the matrix is prepared as described above and additionally a cellular suspension is prepared , for which the cells from a cell culture obtained through trypsinization , are centrifuged in order to obtain a pellet , which is suspended in 1 ml of a cacl 2 and nacl - containing thrombin solution . the iis preparation is always carried out in a sterile environment . therefore , a polymeric matrix portion is provided , which can be either commercially available or prepared according to the above - indicated process , in an appropriate size . the matrix is submerged during a suitable time period , preferably for about 1 hour , in an aqueous alcohol solution , wherein said alcohol corresponds to a 50 % to 90 % alcohol solution in sterile milli - q water , preferably it corresponds to an aqueous 70 % alcohol solution , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol , propanol and iso - propanol . then , the matrix is removed and dried over sterile absorbent paper . subsequently , the dried matrix is submerged in dmem / f12 ( 10 % fbs ) media , for about 18 to 30 hours , preferably during less or about 24 hours . the sterility is checked through microscopy observation , by the media turbidity and the appearance of change in color . subsequently , the polymer is removed , and once more dried over sterile absorbent paper . the matrix is placed in a suitable sterile container , for example , a petri dish or other sterile container with appropriate dimensions for the selected matrix portion . over said matrix portion , 100 μl of a thrombin and cells solution are spread , containing a maximum of up to 8 × 10 6 , preferably between 2 × 10 2 to 4 × 10 6 , more preferably between 3 . 5 × 10 2 and 3 . 5 × 10 6 cells / ml of final solution , preferably a suspension containing about 2 × 10 5 cells / ml of solution , for being applied onto about 1 cm 2 of the matrix . then , the absorption of the cellular suspension is allowed , which generally occurs within the first three minutes , preferably before 2 minutes . subsequently , over the matrix containing the absorbed suspension , 100 μl / cm 2 of fibrinogen are added . later , the clot formation is visually verified , and the obtained implant system is submerged in dmem / f - 12 ( 10 % fbs ) culture media . wherein , the cells suspension corresponds to allogenic cells , autologous cells or stem cells , wherein the cells come from a cellular culture for each of said cellular types , and which have been isolated from biopsies obtained according to standard procedures described in the state of the art . in one embodiment of the present invention , said cellular cultures correspond to an autologous fibroblasts cellular culture , or to an autologous keratinocytes cellular culture , or to a stem cell culture , or a mixture thereof , in a calcium chloride ( 30 mm ) and sodium chloride ( 100 mm ) solution . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the cells suspension contains an autologous fibroblasts and autologous keratinocytes combination . growth characteristics of the cells incorporated into the iis ( fig4 ) the ability of growing of those cells incorporated into an sii , prepared according to example 2 , was evaluated . the existence of a time , wherein cells are in their maximum proliferative ability , was determined . comparing the growth behaviour on a monolayer system , as it takes place in the state of the art devices , wherein the cells grow on the polymers surface or on mechanical supports , in regard to the iss of the present invention , it was found that the iis shows clear and outstanding advantages , which could result in better healing and recovery ability of those patients treated with the device of the present invention . the cell cultures in the iis show that during the first 50 hours of culture , an outstanding increase of the proliferation is achieved , in regard to the monolayer system ( fig4 ). the latter is a relevant advantage of the present invention , insofar as 24 hours from the assembly and seeding of the iis , it is possible to proceed to implanting it onto the cutaneous lesions , wherein the iis comprises cells in an increasing and active curve of a maximum proliferation ability , which may provide better qualities and lower recovery time in the lesion to which the iis is applied . rabbits were surgically prepared , in order to receive the iis , this corresponds to the extraction of circular zones 2 . 5 cm in diameter of dermis and epidermis from the animal &# 39 ; s dorsal area . those animals that were not treated showed a critical clinical condition , resulting in 33 % of deaths . on the contrary , those rabbits that were immediately treated with different iis , survived the trial in excellent conditions ( n = 8 ). the dorsal section of the animal being curve , makes it difficult to maintain implant devices on place . however , the application of the iis did not show those difficulties , being expedite , of easy handling and adhesion in different zones of the assayed animal . on the other hand , when a fibrin gel with cells was applied , as occurs in some state of the art devices , it resulted complicated in handling , difficult to maintain on place in the lesion and with poor adhesion . the animals treated with the iis , showed very low infections incidence and when these occurred , they shared the feature of spontaneously disappearing . this may mean that the iis rapidly reconstitutes the functional skin systems that provide recovery qualities to the damaged area . no clinical evidences of rejection against any of the components of the graft were observed during the trials . additionally , are epithelization in the damaged area was noticed , within a 25 days period , which was confirmed through a clinical and histological evaluation . the set of examples and the invention description , without the intention of restricting , provide evidences about the differences and advantages of the present invention regarding the currently known and disclosed devices , which are powerful and enough qualities , in the sight of any person skilled in the art , which further allow differentiating the present invention of the matter known in the state of the art , and certainly , cannot be deduced or obviously derived from said background . 1 . michel m , l &# 39 ; heureux n l , auger f a , germain l . from newborn to adult : phenotypic and functional properties of skin equivalent and human skin as a function of donor age . j cell physiol 1997 ; 171 : 179 - 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