The human penis has a number of tissue layers. A strong and elastic tissue called the tunica albuginea (TA) covers the corpus cavernosum of the penis. It is a two-layered connective tissue with an inner circular layer and an exterior longitudinal layer. Collagen fibers that are parallel and curly, as well as elastic fibers embedded inside them, are the major components of TA. The orthogonal fiber structure of TA, which functions as a hydrostatic skeleton during penile erection, is essential. The TA fibers are constricted before an erection, which gives the penis remarkable flexibility to bend and twist. Men with erectile dysfunction due to injuries can now benefit from an artificial tunica albuginea. A patch from the new material is used to repair any damage to the tunica albuginea to help men regain sexual function and get an erection.
Impotence
A new method using hydrogel
Disorders like Peyronie’s disease can damage the penis. Trauma or injury, as well as aging, can damage or alter it, resulting in painful erections, and penile bending, which frequently necessitates surgical treatment. Furthermore, the penis typically shortens when fibrous plaque is simply removed. After fibrous plaques are removed, a patch graft may be implanted to lessen penis shortening. At this time, extracellular matrix and autologous tissues make up the majority of reported TA patches (ECM). For the creation of TA patches, some studies advise employing autologous sheaths, pericardium, small intestinal submucosa, muscle fascia, or porcine bladder ECM. These TA patches have had some success, but they are not without drawbacks, including immunological rejection, problems at the donor site, and graft contraction. Additionally, their microstructures differ significantly from those of the native TA, making it more challenging to preserve the mechanical and morphological needs of the TA. These structures also fail to restore erectile function to normal.
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Scientists have devised a new method of making an artificial TA using hydrogel. Compared to ECM made from natural tissues, hydrogels have many advantages. They have a known composition, can be produced from a variety of source components with varying properties, and have customizable mechanical properties. More significantly, oriented fibers can be added to the hydrogels to replicate the double-layer architecture of natural TA. To create an artificial TA (ATA) that satisfies these conditions, they decided to use a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel that has been cross-linked with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). PVA hydrogels that have been STMP cross-linked are extremely strong and allow for suturing. They are also safe for blood and have a lengthy shelf life when used in living organisms. Reports on the architecture of their microstructure, however, are still incredibly uncommon.
Clinical significance
This artificial TA provides a revolutionary strategy for enhancing results and minimizing immediate and long-term problems related to the treatment of TA injuries. Also, the physiological function of most soft tissues depends on their mechanical qualities and structural makeup. As a result, the method for building artificial TAs might be applied to biomimetic structures made of other materials and other load-bearing tissues, including blood vessels, the colon, and other relevant tissues.
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Conclusion
Though technology is thought to be the way of the future for humans, it is now finding its way into people’s sexual lives in the shape of an artificial tunica albuginea. With this new technology, a good number of people around the globe suffering from penile dysfunction will be helped.
