KR101098423B1 - Flexible Film For Fluid Transfer And Organ Implant Prosthesis With The Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a first thin film layer of a flexible material, a second thin film layer of a flexible material laminated on the first thin film layer, and inserted between the first and second thin film layers to shield the outside air. The present invention relates to a flexible fluid transport film including a porous central structure for transporting a fluid from a fluid supply source to a target by capillary flow, thereby providing a fluid transport flexible film having improved mechanical stability.

Description

FLEXIBLE FILM FOR FLUID DELIVERY AND CHRONIC IMPLANTABLE PROSTHESIS HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a fluid transfer flexible film for delivering a fluid from a fluid source to a fluid transfer object, and to an organ implantable prosthesis having the same.

In general, when the fluid supply source and the fluid supply object (target) are separated from each other, a transport channel for connecting the fluid supply to the target is required.

Even when the scale of the target is very fine in micro or nano units, a corresponding micro channel structure is required, and various studies have been attempted.

For example, when a general conduit structure is difficult to be applied due to an obstacle between a fluid source and a target, a flexible microchannel structure of a deformable material may be applied. Such a flexible microchannel structure can be widely applied to drug supply channels and other biomedical devices required for implantable neural prostheses.

Recently, various methods have been tried to implement a flexible microchannel structure using a flexible thin film. However, the flexible thin film not only has poor structural stability by itself, but also has many difficulties in maintaining its shape and function for a long time. In particular, when an external force is applied to the flexible thin film, the microchannel structure is deformed or loses its function, and thus the mechanical stability is very low. Therefore, many technical improvements are required.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, to provide a flexible film for fluid transfer having an improved mechanical stability.

In order to realize the above object, the present invention provides a first thin film layer made of a flexible material, a second thin film layer made of a flexible material laminated on the first thin film layer, and the first and the first materials so as to be shielded from outside air. Disclosed is a flexible film for fluid transfer, comprising at least one porous central structure interposed between two thin film layers and transferring fluid from a fluid source to a target by capillary flow.

The first and second thin film layers may be formed of a polymer material, and the polymer may be a thermoplastic polymer or an elastomeric polymer. The type of the polymer may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art, and may be, for example, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), which is one of thermoplastic resins, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is one of elastomers, but is not limited thereto. . The first and second thin film layers may be bonded to each other through chemical bonding through thermal pressure bonding or surface modification according to thermal properties of the polymer.

The porous central structure may be formed of a porous fiber extending from the fluid source toward the target, and the porous fiber may be used without limitation as long as it is a biocompatible fiber. An example of the biocompatible fibers may include, but is not limited to, at least one of cotton, PLGA, and Kevlar, and the type of such biocompatible fibers may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.

The porous center structure may have a structure exposed to the outside at the target side ends of the first and second thin film layers.

At least one of the first and second thin film layers may be formed with a first discharge hole for discharging the fluid transferred through the porous central structure to the target.

Both sides of the porous center structure may be provided with a void (void) to form a fluid passageway along the space defined by the porous center structure and the first and second thin film layer. Here, the cavity is connectable to a pressurized flow generating portion for generating a pressurized flow.

At least one of the first and second thin film layers may have a second discharge hole through which the fluid transferred through the cavity is discharged to the target.

On the other hand, the present invention is inserted between the first thin film layer of the flexible material, the second thin film layer of the flexible material laminated on the first thin film layer, and the fluid is inserted between the first and second thin film layer A central structure extending from a source side toward the target, and a cavity provided on at least one side of the central structure, the cavity forming a transport passage of the fluid along a space defined by the central structure and the first and second thin film layers ( discloses a flexible film for conveying fluid.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the central structure not only functions as a fluid transfer tube for fluid transfer but also functions as a support for structurally supporting them between the first and second thin film layers. It is possible to improve the mechanical stability of the transfer flexible film.

In addition, by additionally forming a cavity on one side of the porous center structure, passive capillary transfer through the porous center structure and active pressurized flow transfer through the cavity are possible, thereby greatly increasing the flow rate as necessary while continuing to transport very small amounts of fluid. Increased flow rate control is possible.

In addition, the flexible film for fluid transfer of the present invention can be easily changed in design according to the environment and purpose of use and can be easily manufactured through low cost and short process period, long-term implantable prosthetics or microfluid for drug delivery It can be usefully used for microfluidic devices such as microfluidics chip.

1 is a plan view conceptually showing a flexible film for fluid transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the II-II line of the flexible film for fluid transfer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the manufacturing process of the flexible film for fluid transfer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are photographs of the fluid transfer flexible film produced through the manufacturing process disclosed in FIG.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a flexible film for fluid transfer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6; FIG.
8 and 9 are photographs of a fluid transfer flexible film having a structure in which a cavity is formed between the first and second thin film layers.

Hereinafter, a fluid transfer flexible film and an organ implantable prosthesis having the same will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view conceptually illustrating a flexible fluid transport film according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of the flexible fluid transport film shown in FIG.

1 and 2, the flexible film for fluid transfer includes a first thin film layer 110, a second thin film layer 120, and a central structure 130.

The first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 are made of a flexible material that can be freely bent as a flexible material. The first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 may have a very thin thickness, for example, a film having a thickness of 100 μm or less. The first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 may be formed of a polymer material, specifically, may be a thermoplastic polymer or an elastomeric polymer material. The type of the polymer may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art. For example, when the first and second thin film layers are to be formed of a material through which air, moisture, or the like does not pass, LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) Can be used.

The first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 may be laminated to each other, and may be bonded to each other through thermal bonding or chemical bonding through surface modification. Thermal pressure bonding and chemical bonding may be selectively applied according to the materials of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, and a specific method may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.

The central structure 130 is inserted between the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 so as to be shielded from outside air, and has a structure extending from the fluid supply source 140 toward the target. Have

As the central structure 130, a porous architecture having a plurality of microcavities may be used. In this case, the central structure 130 functions to transfer the fluid of the fluid source 140 to the target by capillary flow. As a material of the porous center structure 130, porous fibers such as cotton, PLGA, and Kevlar may be used.

Such a porous central structure 130 has a constant transfer capacity due to the partial pressure difference between the fluid source 140 and the target. Therefore, the porous central structure 130 serves as a trace amount of the fluid delivery tube does not require a separate pump.

The central structure 130 may be arranged singularly or plurally in the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, and FIG. 1 shows that four central structures 130 are formed of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120. The structure arranged in the width direction is illustrated. One end of the central structure 130 is directly or indirectly connected to the fluid source 140 to absorb the fluid, and the other end is exposed to the outside at the target side to disperse the fluid transferred through the central structure 130 to the target. . As such, both ends of the central structure 130 function as an 'absorption side' 131 for absorption of the fluid and a 'diffusion port' 132 for diffusion of the fluid.

According to FIG. 1, the absorber 131 side of the central structure 130 extends to the outside of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 to be connected to the fluid supply source 140. The absorbent portion 131 side of the central structure 130 is also completely blocked from the outside air by the fluid source 140 or other shielding structure.

According to the above structure, the central structure 130 not only functions as a fluid transfer tube for fluid transfer but also functions as a support for structurally supporting them between the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120. Bar, it is possible to improve the mechanical stability of the flexible film for transporting fluid. In addition, since the central structure 130, which functions as a fluid delivery tube, is completely shielded from the external atmosphere, it is possible to fundamentally block the change of the components of the fluid to be transferred by the outside air. It presents a very ideal condition as a channel.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the manufacturing process of the flexible film for transporting fluid according to another embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment illustrates a structure in which one end of the central structure to be connected to the fluid source is exposed to the outside but the other end positioned on the target side is completely inserted into the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120. In this case, the fluid discharge means is further formed in at least one of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, which will be described in detail later.

In the fluid transfer flexible film according to the present invention, the center structure 130 is arranged between the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, and then the first and second parts are applied in an appropriate tension state to the center structure 130. It is manufactured by bonding the thin film layers 110 and 120.

In this embodiment, one end of the central structure 130 is a structure that is completely inserted into the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, the center structure using a hook (10, hook) made of fiber material Tension was applied to 130. That is, the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 were stacked in the state where tension was applied to the central structure 130 using the hook 10, and then the hook 10 was removed.

4 and 5 are photographs of the fluid transfer flexible film prepared using the above method.

4 and 5, PDMS was used as the material of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, and Kevlar fiber was used as the central structure 130. The polyester film was spin-coated with PDMS precursor (1700 rpm, 50 seconds), cured at 90 ° for 2 minutes, and then the cured film layer was plasma treated. And, after bonding the Kevlar fiber and thin film layers, the polyester film was removed.

Although it may be manufactured using one hook 10 as shown in FIG. 4, when using a plurality of hooks as shown in FIG. 5, various refractive angles and shapes of the central structure may be implemented. 5 illustrates a case where four hooks are used to form three bending points.

6 is a perspective view of a flexible film for fluid transfer according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 partially shows a part located on the target side of the entire structure of the flexible film for fluid transfer.

According to this embodiment, at least one side of the central structure 130 is further provided with a cavity (150, void) for forming a transport passage of the fluid. In the present embodiment, the cavity 150 is formed on both sides of the central structure 130, but may be formed only on one side of the central structure 130.

The cavity 150 forms a transport passage of the fluid along a space defined by the central structure 130 and the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120. Through such a cavity 150, as in the central structure 130, passive capillary transfer through capillary flow is possible.

On the other hand, the cavity 150 may be connected to a pressurized flow generating unit (eg, a pump) for generating a pressurized flow, thereby allowing fluid transfer through active pressurized flow. Fluid transport through the cavity 150 is capable of transporting a large amount of drug compared to the central structure 130, and can be used as an active flow control channel through external control. To this end, a valve structure for flow rate control may be further connected to the cavity 150.

According to such a structure, it is possible to continuously flow a very small amount of fluid through the porous central structure 130, and at the same time through the cavity 150 it is possible to control the flow rate to significantly increase the flow rate of the fluid as needed.

When one end of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 is blocked as in this embodiment, a separate fluid discharge means is required, and the fluid discharge means may be implemented in the form of discharge holes 161 and 162.

The discharge holes 161 and 162 may include a first discharge hole 161 for discharging the fluid transferred through the central structure 130 to the target, and a second discharge hole for discharging the fluid transferred through the cavity 150 to the target. 162 may be included.

The first and second discharge holes 161 and 162 are formed through at least one of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120. This embodiment illustrates that the first and second discharge holes 161 and 162 are formed on both surfaces of the first and second thin film layers 120. The first and second discharge holes 161 and 162 may be formed through laser processing.

The first discharge hole 161 may be formed at a position corresponding to the central structure 130, and the second discharge hole 162 may be formed at a position corresponding to the cavity 150. The first and second discharge holes 161 and 162 may be arranged in plural along the fluid transport direction.

The first discharge hole 161 serves as a continuous diffusion nozzle through passive capillary flow, and the second discharge hole 162 serves as a continuous diffusion nozzle and an active injection nozzle through pressurized flow. It will play the role of.

Unlike the present embodiment, when the cavity 150 is not formed on the side of the central structure 130, a structure in which only the first discharge hole 161 is formed without the second discharge hole 162 may be formed.

In addition, unlike the present embodiment, when the cavity 150 is formed on the side of the central structure 130, a structure in which only the second discharge hole 162 is formed without the first discharge hole 161 is possible.

On the other hand, when the cavity 150 is formed on the side of the central structure 130 as in the present embodiment, as the central structure 130, not only porous fibers but also non-porous rigid bodies such as metal (eg, gold) wires may be used. have. In this case, the non-porous rigid body is used as a structure for supporting the cavity, which is advantageous for the fabrication of the fluid transfer pipe with higher mechanical strength. In this case, the cavity 150 is in communication with the fluid source 140 side and the target side, and the fluid is transferred to the target side by the partial pressure difference between the fluid source 140 and the target. In addition, one end of the cavity 150 may be blocked, and in this case, a separate discharge hole may be provided in at least one of the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 to allow the fluid to be discharged to the target.

8 and 9 are photographs of the fluid transfer flexible film having a structure in which a cavity is formed between the first and second thin film layers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a case where two central structures 130 are arranged between the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120, thereby forming three cavities.

As shown in FIG. 9, a structure in which a central structure and a thin film layer are further stacked on the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 may be further stacked. 9 illustrates the case where four cavities are formed using two central structures 130.

In addition to such a structure, various types of flexible films for fluid transfer may be implemented by appropriately adjusting the number and lamination form of the thin film layer and the number and arrangement of the central structures 130.

The flexible film for transporting fluid described above is applicable to various fields to which the flexible microchannel structure is applied.

One example of such a field is the field of organ implantable prosthetics. Organ implantable prosthetics should have a structure capable of injecting drugs to control immune response and rejection of the body, and the structure of the drug infusion channel should have robust durability against tissues in the human body, external force and environment of the transplantation stage, and the like. In addition, implantable prostheses should be designed to be as small as possible to minimize injury to surrounding tissue during the procedure.

The fluid transport film of the present invention can be utilized as a fluid transport structure of an organ implantable prosthesis. The first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 and the central structure 130 may be used as biocompatible materials to improve biocompatibility requirements, and the drug supply may be easily controlled through active and passive flow control. . In addition, it is possible to improve the mechanical stability of the structure of the central structure 130, it is possible to improve the structural robustness of the drug supply channel and the convenience of the procedure.

When the fluid transfer film of the present invention is used as an organ implantable prosthesis, the microelectrode may be deposited on the first and second thin film layers 110 and 120 to simultaneously perform drug supply and electrode implantation.

In addition, the flexible film for fluid transfer of the present invention will be applicable to the field of microfluidics chips. Even in this case, the fluid transfer by the self-driven may be possible by utilizing the difference in concentration of the transfer fluid between the fluid supply source and the target.

In the above described with reference to the accompanying drawings a fluid transfer flexible film and an organ implantable prosthesis having the same according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the invention.

10: hook
110: first thin film layer 120: second thin film layer
130: center structure
131: absorption portion 132: supply port
140: fluid source 150: void
161: first discharge hole 162: second discharge hole

Claims (17)

A first thin film layer of a flexible material;
A second thin film layer of a flexible material laminated on the first thin film layer; And
A flexible film for fluid transfer, which is inserted between the first and second thin film layers so as to be shielded from outside air, and includes at least one porous central structure for transferring fluid from a fluid supply source to a target by capillary flow. The method of claim 1,
The first and the second thin film layer is a flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that formed of a polymer material. The method of claim 2,
The polymer material is a flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer or elastomeric polymer material. The method of claim 1,
The first and second thin film layers are flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that bonded to each other through chemical bonding through thermal pressure bonding or surface modification. The method of claim 1,
The porous center structure is a flexible film for fluid transport, characterized in that made of porous fibers extending from the fluid source toward the target. The method of claim 5,
The porous fiber is a flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that it comprises at least one of cotton, polylactic glycolic acid (PLGA), and Kevlar (Kevlar). The method of claim 1,
The porous center structure is a flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that exposed to the outside from the target side end of the first and second thin film layer. The method of claim 1,
Is formed through at least one of the first and the second thin film layer, the fluid transfer film further comprises a first discharge hole for discharging the fluid transferred through the porous central structure to the target . The method of claim 8,
It is provided on at least one side of the porous center structure, characterized in that it further comprises a void (void) to form a transport passage of the fluid along the space defined by the porous center structure and the first and second thin film layer Flexible film for fluid transfer. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the cavity is connected to a pressurized flow generating portion for generating a pressurized flow. 10. The method of claim 9,
And a second discharge hole penetrating through at least one of the first and second thin film layers, and discharging the fluid transferred through the cavity to the target. The method of claim 11,
The first and the second discharge hole is a plurality of flexible film for conveying fluid, characterized in that arranged in the conveying direction of the fluid. A first thin film layer of a flexible material;
A second thin film layer of a flexible material laminated on the first thin film layer;
A central structure inserted between the first and second thin film layers and extending from the fluid supply side toward the target; And
The flexible film for fluid transfer provided on at least one side of the central structure, and comprising a void (void) to form a flow passage of the fluid along the space defined by the central structure and the first and second thin film layer. The method of claim 13,
The central structure is a flexible film for fluid transfer, characterized in that consisting of porous fibers or non-porous rigid body. The method of claim 13,
And the cavity is in communication with the outside at the target side ends of the first and second thin film layers. The method of claim 13,
And a discharge hole formed through at least one of the first and second thin film layers and discharging the fluid transferred through the cavity to the target. delete

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