An Injectable Meta‐Biomaterial: From Design and Simulation to In Vivo Shaping and Tissue Induction. Issue 41 (27th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Béduer, Amélie; Bonini, Fabien; Verheyen, Connor A.; Genta, Martina; Martins, Mariana; Brefie‐Guth, Joé; Tratwal, Josefine; Filippova, Aleksandra; Burch, Patrick; Naveiras, Olaia; Braschler, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 33:Issue 41(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27
• Subjects: elastic softening -- injectable metamaterials -- shaping -- tissue reconstruction -- vascularization; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102350
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: A novel type of injectable biomaterial with an elastic softening transition is described. The material enables in vivo shaping, followed by induction of 3D stable vascularized tissue. The synthesis of the injectable meta‐biomaterial is instructed by extensive numerical simulation as a suspension of irregularly fragmented, highly porous sponge‐like microgels. The irregular particle shape dramatically enhances yield strain for in vivo stability against deformation. Porosity of the particles, along with friction between internal surfaces, provides the elastic softening transition. This emergent metamaterial property enables the material to reversibly change stiffness during deformation, allowing native tissue properties to be matched over a wide range of deformation amplitudes. After subcutaneous injection in mice, predetermined shapes can be sculpted manually. The 3D shape is maintained during excellent host tissue integration, with induction of vascular connective tissue that persists to the end of one‐year follow‐up. The geometrical design is compatible with many hydrogel materials, including cell‐adhesion motives for cell transplantation. The injectable meta‐biomaterial therefore provides new perspectives in soft tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Abstract : Metamaterials gain unusual properties through their microstructure rather than specific chemistry. An elastic, porous, and injectable (EPI) microscaffold metamaterial is simulated and designed. The EPI provides experimental proof to the conjecture of elastic strain softening in microgel suspensions. Initially shapeable, it dynamically matches the local tissue mechanics, and templates long‐term soft tissue colonization and vascularization.