U.S. patent application number 09/761593 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for collagen material and its production process.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yasuhiko SHIMIZU. Invention is credited to Shimizu, Yasuhiko.
Application Number | 20010016205 09/761593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27335214 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010016205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimizu, Yasuhiko |
August 23, 2001 |
Collagen material and its production process
Abstract
The present invention relates to a collagen material comprising
a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven
fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous
collagen layers, a thread-like material containing said collagen
material, their production processes, and a medical material
containing said collagen material, and particularly a medical
alternative membrane comprised of said medical material. These use
collagen for their raw material without combining the use of a
synthetic polymer material, possess physical properties to an
extent that allows suturing while still maintaining the biochemical
properties inherently possessed by collagen, and the alternative
medical membrane can be used as a material for filling in the
missing portions of biomembranes such as endocranium, pericardium,
pleura, peritonium or serous membrane, presents no ethical
problems, is in stable supply, has no risk of infection, does not
cause cell degeneration, allows control of the rate of degradation
following application to the body, and has an action that promotes
regeneration of biomembranes.
Inventors: |
Shimizu, Yasuhiko; (Uji-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DIKE BRONSTEIN ROBERTS & CUSHMAN
130 WATER STREET
BOSTON
MA
021094280
|
Assignee: |
Yasuhiko SHIMIZU
39-676, Kohataogurayama UJI-SHI
Kyoto
JP
611-0002
|
Family ID: |
27335214 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761593 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09761593 |
Jan 16, 2001 |
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09308557 |
May 20, 1999 |
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09308557 |
May 20, 1999 |
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PCT/JP97/04205 |
Nov 19, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/443 ;
442/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 442/2525 20150401;
A61L 27/24 20130101; Y10S 623/925 20130101; Y10S 128/08 20130101;
A61L 31/044 20130101; C08L 89/06 20130101; A61F 2310/00365
20130101; Y10S 623/909 20130101; Y10S 623/924 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/443 ;
442/123 |
International
Class: |
B32B 005/02; B32B
027/04; B32B 027/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 1996 |
JP |
308856/1996 |
Nov 20, 1996 |
JP |
308857/1996 |
Sep 29, 1997 |
JP |
263374/1997 |
Claims
1. A collagen material comprising a laminate in which a collagen
ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is
sandwiched between non-fibrous collagen layers.
2. A collagen material as set forth in claim 1 wherein a collagen
ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is
formed from collagen plate fibers.
3. A collagen material as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2
having a sheet-like mesh intermediate composed of a biodegradable,
absorbable material inside.
4. A production process of a collagen material as set forth in
claim 1 comprising freezing a collagen solution layer;
freeze-drying to form a fine fibrous collagen layer; compressing;
repeating a process consisting of immersing in a collagen solution
and air-drying; followed by subjecting to crosslinking
treatment.
5. A process as set forth in claim 4 wherein said crosslinking
treatment is thermal crosslinking treatment.
6. A thread-like material containing a collagen material comprising
a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven
fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous
collagen layers.
7. A production process of a thread-like material as set forth in
claim 6 comprising obtaining collagen threads by wet-spinning a
collagen solution; freezing the collagen threads; freeze-drying;
compressing the collagen threads; repeating a process consisting of
immersing in collagen solution and air-drying; followed by
subjecting to crosslinking treatment.
8. A medical material containing a collagen material comprising a
laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven
fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous
collagen layers.
9. A medical material as set forth in claim 8 having a sheet-like
mesh intermediate composed of a biodegradable, absorbable material
inside.
10. An alternative medical membrane comprised of a medical material
as set forth in either of claims 8 or 9.
11. An alternative medical membrane as set forth in claim 10 having
a crosslinked gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer on one or
both sides.
12. A collagen material as set forth in claim 1 having, in the dry
state, single-point support tension of at least 23N and rupture
resistance tension of at least 170N, and in the wet state,
single-point support tension of at least 2N and rupture resistance
tension of at least 12N (in the case of a thickness of 1 mm).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a collagen material
comprising a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous
non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between
non-fibrous collagen layers, a thread-like material containing said
collagen material, and their production processes, as well as a
medical material containing said collagen material, and
particularly a medical alternative membrane comprised of said
medical material.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Among the various materials used as medical materials,
animal collagen has excellent bioaffinity and histocompatibility,
low antigenicity, has the action of promoting host cell
differentiation and growth, has a hemostatic action, and is
completely broken down and absorbed in the body. Consequently, it
has properties that are particularly suitable for use as a medical
material. At present, animal collagen types I through XIX have been
discovered, collagen types I through V are used in a variety of
ways as medical materials. In particular, type I collagen, which is
useful as an extracellular matrix, is used most commonly. These
collagens are extracted and purified from the connective tissue of
various organs such as skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, and viscus of
animals such as cows, pigs, birds, kangaroos and so forth by acidic
solubilization, alkaline solubilization, neutral solubilization and
enzymatic solubilization. Extracted collagen used conventionally is
one that has been broken down to monomers and oligomers at the
molecular level, and is stored in the form of a powder or liquid.
Since these extracted collagens are in a state in which collagen
molecules are broken down to monomers and oligomers, when they come
in contact with water, body fluids or blood, they form a sol
extremely rapidly. Consequently, when using these collagens by
molding as medical materials, they are either used by covering the
surface of a synthetic polymer material such as Nylon or silicone
with collagen to give the material a certain degree of strength
during processing, or are used by subjecting the molded product of
the extracted collagen to chemical crosslinking treatment using a
crosslinking agent or to physical crosslinking treatment using
radiation, electric beam, ultraviolet rays or heat in order to hold
the shape of the material for a certain period of time in the case
of applying to the body. In addition, although these extracted
collagens may be used as thread for medical treatment by forming
into the shape of a thread, wet spinning is used for its
spinning.
[0003] However, in the case of a material in which collagen is
combined with a synthetic polymer material, the synthetic polymer
material remains in the body as a foreign object resulting in
susceptibility to the occurrence of disorders such as granulation
and inflammation, and this type of material cannot be applied to
all cells and viscera. In addition, even if crosslinking treatment
is performed on collagen materials, since there is hardly increase
at all in the physical properties of the collagen material, and
particularly tear strength, it was not possible to process this
material for use as a medical material requiring suturing. In
addition, when a crosslinking agent such as glutaraldehyde or epoxy
is used, not only does the toxicity of the crosslinking agent on
the body become a problem, but there is also the disadvantage of
the biochemical properties inherently possessed by collagen, and
particularly promotional effects on cell growth, being lost. In
addition, in the case of physical crosslinking treatment, the
crosslinking rate is unstable and it is unable to give adequate
physical properties to the collagen material. In addition, it has
also been difficult to perform crosslinking treatment so that the
absorption rate in the body can be controlled. On the other hand,
since spun collagen does not have sufficient strength, it is not
adequate for use as suture.
[0004] On the other hand, although it is necessary to close by
resuturing an opened endocranium, pericardium, pleura, peritoneum
or serous membrane when closing a surgical wound after performing
surgery on the brain or various viscera for the treatment of
various diseases or trauma, there are many cases in which a missing
portion forms in the membrane that prevents a surgical wound from
being completely closed due to the formation of a shortened portion
depending on the length of the suture or the membrane being
partially severed. If such a missing portion is left uncorrected,
the viscera such as the brain, heart, lung, and intestine may
herniate from the area where the membrane is missing resulting in a
serious disorder, or water or air may escape from the viscera or
area around the viscera preventing the surgical wound from healing.
In addition, since the viscera may adhere to surrounding tissues,
the tissue may be damaged thereby preventing the obtaining of a
favorable prognosis. Consequently, freeze-dried human endocranium
removed from cadavers or porous elastic polytetrafluoroethylene
film (EPTFE) (Tissue Goretex, trade name), polypropylene mesh,
Teflon sheet or Dacron sheet and so forth are used as alternative
medical membranes that can be used as fillers for these missing
portions. In addition, a copolymer of lactic acid and
.epsilon.-caprolactone (50:50) is currently being developed. In
addition, methods involving the use of the patient's own fascia
lata or the patient's own pericardium, skin or muscle and so forth
are also performed as a last resort.
[0005] However, with respect to the use of human endocranium,
adhesion occurs between the filled human endocranium and brain
parenchymal tissue. Not only does this have the risk of causing
epileptic attacks following surgery, there is also the ethical
problem of obtaining specimens from human cadavers as well as the
problem of the supply being extremely limited. More recently, the
occurrence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) caused by
transplanted endocranium has been reported in patients receiving
endocranial transplants (J. Neurosurgery, 21(2): 167-170, 1993). In
Japan, human endocranium is currently not used. In addition, since
EPTFE materials and so forth are not broken down in the body but
rather remain as foreign objects, they easily cause infection or,
when in contact with body tissue, end up causing fatty degeneration
of tissue cells and so forth, and are known to frequently cause
post-operative complications. Copolymers of lactic acid and
.epsilon.-caprolactone are degradable in the body. Although they
gradually are broken down after being applied to the body, a long
period of time on the order of nearly two years is required for
them to be completely broken down and absorbed. Consequently, they
also remain in the body for a short time as foreign objects, cause
inflammation in tissue during the degradation process and form
granuloma. Since this copolymer uses the (L) form of lactic acid as
its monomer, lactic acid may crystallize in the copolymer causing
inflammation. Moreover, both EPTFE and copolymer of lactic acid and
.epsilon.-caprolactone do not have the action of promoting
regeneration of biomembranes. In addition, methods using the
patient's own fascia lata and so forth place a significant burden
on both the patient and physician.
[0006] Although materials such as the above-mentioned EPTFE,
polypropylene mesh (Marlex), human dried endocranium and
glutaraldehyde (GA)-treated bovine pericardium have been used in
the past as pericardium fillers, EPTFE and human dried pericardium
have the disadvantages described above. In addition, polypropylene
mesh causes strong adhesion between itself and the heart. Since
GA-treated bovine pericardium remains in the body without being
absorbed or broken down, it causes deterioration due to mineral
deposition, and complications due to interstitial pneumonia caused
by an immune reaction to the bovine pericardium have also been
observed.
[0007] In addition, although polyglycolic acid non-woven fabric and
bovine pericardium have been used as a pleural filler or for an
auto-suture to reduce the escape of air from the surgical site
following lung surgery, polyglycolic acid causes strong adhesion
and because it is not transparent, it is difficult to be used for
an auto-suture. In addition, bovine pericardium has the
disadvantages previously described.
[0008] For these reasons, a need has arisen for the development of
a collagen material that uses collagen for its raw material without
combining the use of a synthetic polymer material, possesses
physical properties to an extent that allows suturing while still
maintaining the biochemical properties inherently possessed by
collagen, and retains its shape for a certain amount of time even
after application to the body; its production process; and, a
medical material on which it is based, examples of which include a
peripheral neural tube, artificial spine, artificial esophagus,
artificial trachea, artificial blood vessel, artificial valve or
artificial alternative medical membranes such as artificial
endocranium, artificial ligaments, artificial tendons, surgical
sutures, surgical fillers, surgical reinforcement, wound protecting
materials, artificial skin and artificial cornea. In particular,
there has arisen a strong need in the clinical setting for the
development of various types of medical materials that can be used
as alternative medical membranes which present no ethical problems,
are in stable supply, prevent adhesion of the surgical wound
following surgery after being applied to the body, have no risk of
infection, do not cause tissue degeneration, allow control of the
rate of degradation following application, and have an action that
promotes regeneration of biomembranes, especially endocranium,
pericardium, pleura, peritoneum or serous membrane.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] As a result of earnest research in order to solve the
above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention
found that a collagen material comprising a laminate in which a
collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer
structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous collagen layers has
excellent properties as a medical material as well as physical
properties that allow suturing, thereby leading to completion of
the present invention. Namely, the present invention relates to a
collagen material comprising a laminate in which a collagen
ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is
sandwiched between non-fibrous collagen layers. In addition, the
present invention relates to a production process of the
above-mentioned collagen material comprising freezing a collagen
solution layer; freeze-drying to form a fine fibrous collagen
layer; compressing; repeating a process consisting of immersing in
a collagen solution and air-drying; followed by subjecting to
crosslinking treatment. Moreover, the present invention relates to
a thread-like material containing a collagen material comprising a
laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven
fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous
collagen layers; and, a production process of the above-mentioned
thread-like material comprising wet-spinning a collagen solution to
obtain collagen threads; freezing the collagen threads;
freeze-drying; compressing the collagen threads; repeating a
process consisting of immersing in collagen solution and
air-drying; followed by subjecting to crosslinking treatment.
Moreover, the present invention relates to a medical material
containing a collagen material comprising a laminate in which a
collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer
structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous collagen layers, an
alternative medical membrane comprised of said medical material,
and particularly an alternative medical membrane having a
crosslinked gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer on one or
both sides.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows the structure of the collagen material of the
present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 2 through 5 are electron micrographs showing the form
of each fiber of the collagen material of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of the collagen material of
the present invention. In this collagen material, ultra-fine fibers
15, composed of several collagen molecules and having a diameter of
about 5 nm, serve as the basic unit to form fine fibers 14 having a
diameter of about 50 nm, and these form narrow fibers 13a and 13b
having a diameter of about 2 .mu.m. As shown in the drawing, these
narrow fibers 13a and 13b form fibers 12 having a diameter of about
6 .mu.m by alternately overlapping as warp and weft, and these
overlap in the coaxial direction to form plate fibers 11 having a
diameter of about 20-50 .mu.m. These plate fibers 11 form collagen
ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure 10,
and non-fibrous collagen layers 20a and 20b in which collagen
molecules are dispersed in the form of monomers and oligomers are
present on its outside. Moreover, collagen molecules are also
incorporated between the plate fibers of the non-woven fabric-like
multi-layer structure. FIG. 2 is an electron micrograph of a
cross-section of the collagen material of the present invention.
FIG. 3 indicates a fiber 12 formed by alternate overlapping of
narrow fibers 13a and 13b. FIG. 4 indicates ultra-fine fibers 15
and fine fiber 14 which is formed by using ultra-fine fibers 15 as
the basic unit. FIG. 5 indicates ultra-fine fiber 15.
[0013] Examples of collagen that can be used as the raw material of
the collagen material comprised of a laminate in which a collagen
ultra-fine fibrous non-woven multi-layered structure is sandwiched
between non-fibrous collagen layers include various types of
collagen used in the prior art, and preferably neutral solubilized
collagen, acidic solubilized collagen, alkaline solubilized
collagen or enzymatic solubilized collagen. Among these, enzymatic
solubilized collagen is particularly preferable since it involves
treatment of insoluble collagen with enzyme (e.g., pepsin, trypsin,
chymotrypsin, papain and pronase), causing the strongly antigenic
telopeptide portion in the collagen molecules to be removed by this
treatment resulting in decreased antigenicity. There are no
particular restrictions on the origin of this collagen, and in
general, type I collagen or mixed type I and type III collagen can
be used which is obtained by extraction and purification from the
skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, viscera and so forth of animals such
as cows, pigs, rabbits, sheep, kangaroos, birds and fish, etc.
[0014] When the collagen material of the present invention having
an ultra-fine fiber structure as described above is compared with a
material comprised only of non-fibrous collagen having an amorphous
structure in which collagen molecules are dispersed in the state of
monomers and oligomers that have been used in the past as various
types of medical materials, although the former retains the action
on the body inherently possessed by collagen, in comparison with
the latter, not only does it have excellent physical properties,
and particularly excellent tear strength, but the rate of
absorption in the body is also adequately extended. In addition, a
thread-like material containing the collagen material of the
present invention is in the form of a thread of a collagen material
comprising a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous
non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between
non-fibrous collagen layers. In addition, a medical material
containing the collagen material of the present invention is a
processed product of a collagen material comprising a laminate in
which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like
multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous collagen
layers, into various types of medical materials. Examples of forms
of medical materials include membranes, tubes, pouches and clumps.
One particular example of an application of this medical material
is an alternative medical membrane, and more specifically, a
preferable example is an alternative medical membrane having a
crosslinked gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer on one or
both of its sides. In this case, the thickness is preferably about
0.1-5 mm.
[0015] The gelatin gel layer that is able to be present on the
surface of the alternative medical membrane of the present
invention acts as an adhesion preventive layer for preventing
extension of cells from the surrounding body tissue at locations
requiring prevention of adhesion due to the action of gelatin that
impairs cell adhesion and growth. In addition, hyaluronic acid has
the effect of improving collagen stability as well as the effect of
preventing adhesion. In the alternative medical membrane of the
present invention, since it is necessary for the gelatin gel layer
or hyaluronic acid layer to remain without being degraded or
absorbed for about 3-4 weeks after applying to the body, this
gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer is crosslink
treated.
[0016] In order to prepare the collagen material of the present
invention comprising a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine
fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched
between non-fibrous collagen layers, an approximately 1N
hydrochloric acid solution (pH of about 3) of collagen is prepared
after extraction and purification as described above (the collagen
concentration is preferably about 0.5-3 wt %, and particularly
preferably about 1 wt %), and a collagen hydrochloric acid solution
layer is formed in a container such as a Petri dish so that the
liquid layer has an arbitrary uniform thickness using any routine
method such as pouring. Although the thickness of the collagen
hydrochloric acid solution layer is determined according to the
application of the collagen material of the present invention, in
the case of using, for example, as an alternative medical membrane
in the form of an endocranium, the thickness is preferably about
1-5 cm, and particularly preferably about 1-3 cm. This is then
frozen preferably at about -10 to -196.degree. C., and particularly
preferably at about -20.degree. C., for at least about 6 hours,
preferably about 6-48 hours, and particularly preferably about 24
hours. As a result of freezing, fine pieces of ice are formed
between the collagen molecules dispersed in the hydrochloric acid
solution, and layer separation occurs in the collagen hydrochloric
acid solution resulting in the formation of fine fibers due to
rearrangement of the collagen molecules. If the freezing time is
less than 6 hours, since the collagen hydrochloric acid solution is
not adequately frozen, there is insufficient formation of fine
fibers of the collagen molecules, thereby preventing the obtaining
of adequate physical properties. Next, the above-mentioned frozen
collagen hydrochloric acid solution is freeze-dried in a vacuum
preferably at about -40 to -80.degree. C., and particularly
preferably at about -80.degree. C., preferably for about 24-48
hours, and particularly preferably for about 48 hours. As a result
of freeze-drying, together with the fine pieces of ice between the
collagen molecules being vaporized, the ultra-fine fibers comprised
of collage molecules serve as the basic units to obtain a non-woven
fabric-like collagen layer composed by fine fibers, narrow fibers,
fibers and plate fibers as previously described.
[0017] Next, the non-woven fabric-like collagen layer obtained in
the manner described above is compressed to a uniform thickness
using a press apparatus. As a result of compressing, the residual
time of the collagen material of the present invention in the body
is controlled. For example, in the case of using a 1 wt % collagen
hydrochloric acid solution, compression is performed for 15 seconds
at a pressure of, for example, 200 kg/cm.sup.2 over a compression
ratio range of 30-60. Next, the compressed collagen layer is
immersed in a collagen hydrochloric acid solution and air-dried.
This immersion and air-drying step is repeated 5-20 times. The
collagen hydrochloric acid solution used here is a non-fibrous
collagen solution containing about 0.5-3 wt %, and particularly
about 2 wt %, of extracted and purified collagen in about 1N
hydrochloric acid in which collagen molecules are dispersed in the
state of monomers and oligomers, and as a result of immersing the
compressed collagen layer in this collagen solution, the collagen
molecules dispersed in the collagen solution are incorporated
between the plate fibers of the non-woven fabric-like collagen
layer. As a result, anchoring effects are demonstrated which,
together with providing strength, increase stability to water.
Although it is suitable to repeat this immersion and air-drying
step 5-20 times, the number of repetitions can be suitably
determined within this range according to the application of the
collagen material of the present invention. Next, the immersed and
air-dried collagen layer is subjected to crosslinking treatment to
obtain the collagen material of the present invention comprising a
laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven
fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between non-fibrous
collagen layers. As a result of performing crosslinking treatment,
a medical material containing the collagen material of the present
invention can be adjusted so as to remain for a desired period of
time after its application to the body. It is preferable to perform
thermal dehydration crosslinking to facilitate control of the
degree of crosslinking and to eliminate the effect of the
crosslinking agent on the body. In order to perform thermal
dehydration crosslinking, the immersed and air-dried collagen layer
obtained above is heated in a vacuum preferably at about
105-150.degree. C., and particularly preferably at about
140.degree. C., preferably for about 6-48 hours, and particularly
preferably for about 24 hours. If heated at a temperature below
105.degree. C., a sufficient crosslinking reaction does not take
place. If heated at a temperature above 150.degree. C., the
collagen ends up denaturing. Next, the collagen material of the
present invention obtained in the above-mentioned process may be
sterilized as necessary by ethylene oxide gas treatment,
ultraviolet irradiation or gamma ray irradiation. The collagen
material of the present invention produced in the manner described
above has, in the dry state, single-point support tension of at
least about 23N and particularly 45N or more, rupture resistance
tension of at least about 170N and particularly 230N or more, and
in the wet state, single-point support tension of at least 2N and
particularly 6N or more, and rupture resistance tension of at least
12N and particularly 23N or more (in the case of a collagen
material having a specific gravity of 0.74 g/cm.sup.3 and thickness
of 1 mm). Since this collagen material has superior strength to
collagen materials of the prior art, it can be processed into
various types of medical materials and can also be sutured. In
addition, it is able to retain its shape for about 3-8 weeks in the
case of being applied in the body. Moreover, it also retains the
inherent properties of collagen as a medical material.
[0018] Since the collagen material of the present invention has
excellent strength, it can also be used as surgical suture. A
thread-like material containing the collagen material of the
present invention can be prepared in the manner described below. An
about 1N hydrochloric acid solution (pH of about 3) of extracted
and purified collagen is prepared (the collagen concentration is
preferably about 0.5-3 wt %, and particularly preferably about 1 wt
%), and this is sprayed into a coagulation bath from a nozzle
having an aperture of preferably about 50-300 .mu.m, and
particularly preferably about 100 .mu.m, to perform wet spinning.
The resulting collagen thread is frozen and freeze-dried under the
same conditions as described above to form a collagen thread. Next,
this collagen thread is compressed under the same conditions as
described above. Next, the compressed collagen thread is immersed
in a collagen hydrochloric acid solution (about 2 wt % in about 1N
hydrochloric acid) and air-dried. This step is repeated 5-20 times.
Next, the immersed and air-dried collagen thread is subjected to
crosslinking treatment under the same conditions as described above
to obtain a thread-like material containing the collagen material
of the present invention.
[0019] In the case of processing the collagen material of the
present invention prepared in the manner described above into an
alternative medical membrane having a crosslinked gelatin gel layer
or hyaluronic acid layer on one or both of its sides, in the case
of a gelatin gel layer, the gelatin gel layer is formed by using an
aqueous gelatin solution of preferably about 2-70 wt % and
particularly preferably about 60 wt %. However, in the case of
using an aqueous gelatin solution of about 60 wt %, the gelatin gel
layer is formed to a thickness of preferably about 0.1-5 mm and
particularly preferably about 1 mm when wet, or preferably about
0.06-3 mm and particularly preferably about 0.6 mm when dry.
Although the gelatin gel layer may be formed by a method such as
coating or immersion, for example, the aqueous gelatin solution may
be poured into a container such as a Petri dish to the required
thickness, and the collagen material of the present invention
obtained in the manner described above may be placed on top of it
and allowed to stand to allow the gelatin to gelatinize. In the
case of forming a gelatin gel layer on both sides, a similar
process is performed on the other side as well to form gelatin gel
layers on both sides.
[0020] Next, the collagen material on which a gelatin gel layer has
been formed on one or both sides obtained in this manner is
subjected to a second crosslinking treatment. As a result of
performing this crosslinking treatment, the rate of degradation and
absorption of the gelatin gel layer is controlled. Thermal
dehydration crosslinking is preferable for the crosslinking method
for the same reasons as described above. In order to allow the
gelatin gel layer to remain for about 3-4 weeks after application
to the body, the collagen material on which the above-mentioned
gelatin gel layer has been formed is subjected to thermal
dehydration crosslinking treatment in a vacuum preferably at about
105-150.degree. C. and particularly preferably about 140.degree. C.
for preferably about 6-48 hours and particularly preferably about
24 hours. If the temperature is below about 105.degree. C., the
crosslinking reaction does not occur adequately, and if the
temperature exceeds 150.degree. C., the collagen ends up
denaturing.
[0021] The crosslinked gelatin gel layer formed in this manner has
the role of preventing the collagen portion of the present
alternative medical membrane from adhering to surrounding tissue
until each biomembrane is regenerated, and the gelatin gel layer
remains without being degraded or absorbed for about 3-4 weeks
until biomembrane extends and regenerates from around the membrane
missing portion and fills in the missing portion of the
membrane.
[0022] In the case of forming a hyaluronic acid layer, an aqueous
sodium hyaluronate solution layer is formed by a method such as
coating or immersion on one or both sides of the collagen material
of the present invention obtained in the manner described above by
using an aqueous sodium hyaluronate solution of preferably about
0.5-2.0 mg/ml and particularly preferably about 1.0 mg/ml, after
which this aqueous solution layer is air-dried to form a hyaluronic
acid layer. The aqueous sodium hyaluronate solution layer is formed
to a thickness of preferably about 0.5-4.0 mm and particularly
preferably about 2 mm in the wet state, or preferably about 0.1-2.0
mm and particularly preferably about 1.0 mm in the dry state (in
the case of an aqueous solution of about 1.0 mg/ml) so that the
hyaluronic acid layer is able to remain without being degraded or
absorbed for about 3-4 weeks until the biomembrane extends and is
regenerated from around the missing portion of the membrane to be
repaired and fills in the missing portion of the membrane. In order
to fix the hyaluronic acid on the surface of the collagen material
and form the hyaluronic acid layer, a second crosslinking treatment
is performed. However, in the case of hyaluronic acid, it is
preferable to perform crosslinking treatment with water-soluble
carbodiimide (WSC). In this case, it is preferable to premix WSC
with aqueous sodium hyaluronate solution and apply to the collagen
material with sodium hyaluronate to crosslink the carboxyl groups
of the collagen with the amino groups of the hyaluronic acid. The
concentration of WSC contained in aqueous sodium hyaluronate
solution is preferably about 5-20 mg/ml and particularly preferably
about 8-15 mg/ml. An aqueous solution containing this sodium
hyaluronate and WSC is prepared, it is stirred well and coated onto
one or both sides of a collagen material preferably to a thickness
of about 1 mm followed by air-drying to form the hyaluronic acid
layer.
[0023] The collagen material of the present invention prepared in
the manner described above has superior physical properties and,
particularly superior tear strength to extracted collagen materials
of the prior art, and it can be processed into various medical
materials using the collagen material alone without laminating to
synthetic polymer materials and so forth, and can also be used for
suturing. In addition, in the case of applying the collagen
material of the present invention in the body, it is able to retain
its shape for about 3-8 weeks without immediately dissolving. For
these reasons, by processing the collagen material of the present
invention into the form of a membrane, tube, pouch or clump
according to the particular application, it can be used as various
types of medical materials. For example, it can be used as a
peripheral neural tube, artificial spinal cord, artificial
esophagus, artificial trachea, artificial blood vessel, artificial
valve, artificial alternative medical membrane such as alternative
endocranium, an artificial ligament, artificial tendon, surgical
suture, surgical filler, surgical reinforcement, wound protecting
material, artificial skin and artificial cornea, and can accelerate
recovery and regeneration of injured body tissue. Alternatively, it
can also be used as a pressure styptic or three-dimensional medium
in cell culturing.
[0024] In addition, an alternative medical membrane comprising the
medical material of the present invention obtained in the manner
described above can be used to prevent adhesion of viscera and
surrounding tissue in portions of missing membrane by filling in
membrane missing portions following various types of surgery. In
the alternative medical membrane of the present invention, an
alternative medical membrane of the present invention is used in
which a gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer is formed on one
or both sides so that the crosslinked gelatin gel layer or
hyaluronic acid layer is facing the side that comes in contact with
surrounding tissue for which it is necessary to prevent adhesion.
In the case of using the present alternative medical membrane as an
alternative membrane of the pericardium, an alternative membrane is
used in which a gelatin layer or hyaluronic acid layer is formed on
both sides so that the gelatin gel or hyaluronic acid layer is
facing the sides that come in contact with the surrounding tissue,
while in the case of using the present alternative medical membrane
as an alternative membrane of the pleura, peritoneum or serous
membrane, an alternative membrane is used in which a gelatin gel
layer or hyaluronic acid layer is formed on one side so that the
gelatin gel or hyaluronic acid layer is facing the side that comes
in contact with the surrounding tissue. In the case of using as an
alternative membrane of the endocranium, an alternative membrane
can be used in which a gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer
is formed on either one or both sides. In the case of using an
alternative membrane in which a gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic
acid layer is formed on one side, the membrane is used so that the
gelatin gel layer or hyaluronic acid layer is facing the side that
comes in contact with brain parenchymal tissue. Moreover, this
alternative membrane material can also be used as reinforcement for
suturing blood vessels, digestive tract, trachea, ureter, urinary
bladder, serous membrane or periodontal membrane.
[0025] The alternative medical membrane of the present invention
that serves as a material for filling missing portions of
biomembranes in the manner described above can be used as an
alternative membrane of the endocranium, pericardium, pleura,
peritoneum or serous membrane. When the present alternative
membrane is applied to a surgical wound, while the biomembrane such
as the endocranium, pericardium, pleura, peritonium or serous
membrane that remains around the surgical wound extends and
regenerates from the site in contact with the present alternative
membrane by using the collagen portion of the present alternative
membrane as a foothold for regeneration, adhesion is prevented at
sites where body tissue comes in contact with the gelatin gel layer
or hyaluronic acid layer to prevent cell invasion and extension so
that ultimately, the missing portion is filled in by the
regenerated biomembrane, after which the present alternative
membrane is completely eliminated as a result of degradation and
absorption by the body.
[0026] As described above, although the collagen material of the
present invention as well as a medical material containing the
collagen material of the present invention, and particularly an
alternative medical membrane, have tear strength that is superior
to conventional collagen materials and medical materials in which
they are contained, when using the present medical material as, for
example, an artificial urinary bladder, there are cases in which
even greater strength is required. Consequently, the collagen
material of the present invention and a medical material containing
the collagen material of the present invention may have, when so
required, a sheet-like mesh intermediate comprised of a
biodegradable, absorbable material inside. Examples of
biodegradable, absorbable materials include polyglycolic acid,
polylactic acid, copolymer of glycolic acid and lactic acid,
polydioxanone, copolymer of glycolic acid and trimethylene
carbonate, or a mixture of polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid.
Sheet-like mesh intermediates composed of these materials are in
the form of a mesh sheet, woven fabric, non-woven fabric or sheet
containing punched holes having a hole diameter of, for example,
about 50-2000 .mu.m. Although their thickness is, for example,
about 100-2000 .mu.m, the hole diameter and thickness of the mesh
intermediate can be suitably changed according to the specific
application.
[0027] In order to prepare a collagen material having a sheet-like
mesh intermediate composed of a biodegradable, absorbable material
inside, a sheet-like mesh intermediate like that described above is
left immersed in a collagen hydrochloric acid solution when forming
the collagen ultra-fine fibrous non-woven fabric-like multi-layer
structure, after which the collagen hydrochloric acid solution
layer is subjected to following steps such as freezing and
freeze-drying.
[0028] The following provides an explanation of the present
invention through its examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0029] A 1N hydrochloric acid solution of 1 wt % collagen was
prepared using pigskin collagen, the solution as poured into a
Petri dish to prepare collagen solution layers having thicknesses
of 6, 12 and 18 mm, respectively. The layers were then frozen for
24 hours at -20.degree. C., and then freeze-dried for 24 hours at
-80.degree. C. Next, the layers were hot pressed for 15 seconds at
room temperature and a pressure of 200 kg/cm.sup.2 using a press to
obtain layers having thicknesses of about 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 mm,
respectively. A 1N hydrochloric acid aqueous solution of 2 wt %
collagen was prepared using the above-mentioned collagen for the
raw material, and the pressed collagen layers obtained above were
immersed in this collagen solution and air-dried. This immersion
and air-drying step was repeated 5 or 10 times after which the
immersed and air-dried layers were subjected to thermal
crosslinking treatment in a vacuum at 140.degree. C. for 24 hours
to obtain collage materials of the present invention.
[0030] The single-point support tension and rupture resistance
tension were measured in the wet and dry states for the collagen
materials of the present invention prepared above according to the
methods described below.
[0031] Short test pieces were prepared measuring 15.times.40 mm.
Tension was applied uniformly at ISO speed B (5 mm/min) in the
axial direction of the test pieces using a digital push-pull gauge
(Aikoh Engineering CPU gauge) in a constant temperature, constant
humidity bath at 25.degree. C. and humidity of 50% according to the
method described below, and the maximum tension at which the
membrane ruptures was measured in both the dry and wet states
(hydrated for 1 minute in physiological saline at 37.degree. C. or
hydrated for 24 hours in physiological saline at room
temperature).
[0032] 1. Single-Point Support Tension
[0033] A thread (4-0 proline or 2 dexon) was sutured and anchored
at a site 5 mm to the inside from the center of the end of each
test piece, while tension was applied to the other end by uniformly
clamping with a clip.
[0034] 2. Rupture Resistance Tension
[0035] Tension was applied to both ends of each test piece by
uniformly clamping both ends with clips.
[0036] The results are shown in the table below.
1 Thickness of Dry state Wet state collagen Single- Rupture Single-
Rupture hydrochloric acid point resis- point resis- solution layer
Compression support tance support tance (before freezing) ratio
tension tension tension tension 6 mm 0.03 6.3 51.4 0.74 4.89 12 mm
0.02 16.7 78.3 2.05 8.92 18 mm 0.03 27.8 110.2 4.93 9.47 Dry state
Wet state Single-point Rupture Single-point Rupture support
resistance support resistance tension tension tension tension
Immersion and 14.4 50.3 0.9 4.61 air-drying repeated 5 times
Immersion and 27.8 110.2 4.93 9.47 air-drying repeated 10 times
(Units: N)
[0037] According to the above results, the collagen materials of
the present invention were shown to have excellent properties that
are able to withstand suturing.
[0038] Industrial Applicability
[0039] Since the collagen material of the present invention
comprising a laminate in which a collagen ultra-fine fibrous
non-woven fabric-like multi-layer structure is sandwiched between
non-fibrous collagen layers has physical properties that allow
suturing even though it retains biochemical properties inherently
possessed by collagen, it can be widely used as various types of
medical materials. In addition, the alternative medical membrane of
the present invention presents no ethical problems, can be provided
in stable supply, and can be sutured to a surgical wound as a
material that fills in the missing portion of a biomembrane or as a
material that prevents adhesion. In addition, while it demonstrates
effects that prevent adhesion, since it remains for a period of
time after suturing until the biomembrane regenerates and is then
gradually degraded and absorbed, it does not cause inflammation and
so forth as a result of remaining in body tissue for a long period
of time, thereby allowing it to be used safely.
* * * * *