TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY
Injuries to tendon and ligaments are widespread, debilitating and often problematic to difficult to heal. Tendon and ligament repair is a multi-billion dollar market in need of an improved medical solution. Collagen in the main structural component of nearly all tissues in the body (tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, skin, bone, teeth). Injuries to mainly collagen-based tissues (tendons and ligaments) are notoriously difficult to heal. We are able to control the assembly of tropocollagen, a collagen precursor, into highly organized collagen structures (collagen sheets, tubes and 3D printed structures). Our method of collagen assembly results in high-density materials with high mechanical strength which is advantageous for surgical replacement and repair. Once implanted, we have developed technology to deliver tropocollagen to damaged tissues. Tropocollagen undergoes self-assembly at the site of injury to assist defect repair without the need for cells. This is particularly beneficial for tendons and ligaments that have few cells.
AREA/MATURITY/AWARDS
Primary Application Area: Materials, Chemical
Technology Development Status: Concept
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 4
SHOWCASE SUMMARY
Organization Type: Early-stage Startup (Seed)
Showcase Booth #: 201
GOVT/EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES
External Funding to Date: Gapfund Award ($50,000) from Northeastern University to support technology translation.