Personalized gemstone made of resin with embedded human or animal cells that are fixed within its structure.

Abstract

Gemstone (7) made of a synthetic resin and human or animal cells (10) embedded therein, characterized in that the structural arrangement of the cells enclosed in the gemstone (7) is preserved to such an extent that it optically represents the structure of living cells (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to personalized gemstones with embedded biological materials.

[0002] Gemstones have been used to adorn jewelry since time immemorial. They are often imbued with symbolic meaning, for example, as symbols of emotional bonds or as commemorations of special events such as weddings or births. The production of synthetic gemstones is also a time-honored technique. Artificial diamonds, for instance, have been produced in laboratories since the 1950s, and other techniques for creating synthetic gemstones include the use of glass, plastics, or resins.

[0003] The idea of ​​personalizing gemstones by incorporating human (or animal) biological materials such as bones, hair, tissue, breast milk, blood, placental or umbilical cord fragments, and the ashes of deceased individuals is known from the prior art. For example, WO2004105540A1 discloses the production of a gemstone from carbon derived from the remains of deceased humans or animals. US2022361637A1 describes a process for producing a gemstone from resin, in which the gemstone consists of several layers of a UV resin, with remains such as ashes, nails, or hair of a deceased individual being embedded between the first and second resin layers.Similarly, AT10470U1 also discloses a method for producing a synthetic gemstone in which human or animal biological material is inserted between several layers of a transparent, castable plastic, preferably polymethyl methacrylate.

[0004] CA2516994A1, on the other hand, shows a method for incorporating biological remains into a natural or synthetic diamond by creating cavities.

[0005] The biological material is then introduced into these cavities along with a mixture of lead monoxide, potassium chloride, and preferably a bromide-containing component such as sodium bromide, where it crystallizes. BR202022014786U2 describes the manufacturing process of an artificial gemstone from a mixture of breast milk and synthetic resin. US10517360B1 discloses a process in which a piece of jewelry is provided with a hole into which biological remains such as ashes, hair, or personal items are placed, and the opening is subsequently sealed with an adhesive or cement. WO2015138951A1 describes a process in which gemstones are personalized by mixing biological remains, in particular the genetic material DNA, with a metal powder and then processing them into a metal gemstone using a cold or hot metallurgical process.In a preferred embodiment, the biological material is enclosed in a capsule made of a polymer.

[0006] CN203073172U, CN102783771A and CN103782832A disclose methods for incorporating cells with a cellular structure into synthetic gemstones. In these highly complex manufacturing processes, a synthetic gemstone is built up from numerous layers, with cells being applied to one layer and grown directly there. The cells are then fixed to this layer and sealed with a further protective layer.

[0007] An unresolved problem with most of the aforementioned methods is that the biological material to be introduced is no longer in its original state—before being extracted from the donor—due to alterations (e.g., denaturation or damage) caused during the chosen manufacturing processes by high temperatures, high pressure, or other destructive conditions. Consequently, the cells, tissues, and biological materials used are largely degraded by the processing steps, so that the resulting gemstone contains no biological material whose original cellular structure has been preserved. Therefore, it cannot be verified under a microscope whether the inclusions are indeed former living cells of the organism from which they were taken.From the perspective of the buyer or owner of the respective gemstone, this diminishes the emotional value conveyed by the biological material. Other methods use materials such as ash or hair, which in any case do not constitute living biological material.

[0008] Other methods have the problem that the gemstone must be built up in layers. This is associated with considerable production costs and complex, multi-stage manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the layered structure of these gemstones means that the incorporated biological material is only contained in one layer of the gemstone.

[0009] Another problem with the current state of the art is that the biological material is not sufficiently protected from degradation. UV resin, as used in some of the methods mentioned above, for example, has lower chemical resistance and therefore does not completely protect the biological material from decomposition. This applies to most of the methods described.

[0010] Currently, no fixation or protective measures (dehydration) are used for the biological material. This leads to the biological material degenerating over time once it is incorporated into the gemstone.

[0011] To assure a buyer of a gemstone that it contains biological material, it is necessary to make this biological material visible. This serves both as proof of the manufacturer's expertise and as a way to justify the special emotional value that the biological material content is intended to generate. However, with most of the methods mentioned above, it is either impossible or only possible with disproportionate effort to make the biological material visible. In some cases, this is because biological materials such as DNA, ash, or breast milk are used, which either cannot be visualized with standard microscopes or are not recognizable as biological material to the untrained eye. Other methods mentioned above result in the biological material (e.g., cells) only being visible in certain areas within the gemstone (i.e.,in a specific layer of the gemstone) and is sometimes present only in small quantities. The amount of biological material is difficult to control with most of the described methods. Consequently, these cells are difficult to detect and visualize with standard microscopes. With most methods, the cells themselves are not recognizable as such, since the typical cellular shape and structure are not preserved due to the destructive production processes (e.g., high temperatures during manufacturing / UV light).

[0012] Another technical problem with existing methods for producing personalized gemstones is the lack of flexibility in choosing the shape of these gemstones. This is either because—as mentioned above—the biological material is inserted directly into a pre-made piece of jewelry or a fixed jewelry mold. Alternatively, the aforementioned methods result in a layered construction of the gemstone, which limits the possibilities for creating different shapes.

[0013] Another drawback of the methods known so far is that jewelry making and the processing and combination of biological materials are inextricably linked in most of the described manufacturing processes. This means that the biological material must be harvested, processed, and directly incorporated into the piece of jewelry or a predefined jewelry mold at the same location. The only alternative to the methods known so far would require special conditions that entail significant logistical and financial costs for production. For example, the biological material would have to be transported to the jewelry manufacturer. If the biological material is indeed biologically active (i.e., alive), it must be continuously refrigerated and processed within a specific timeframe (approximately 48 hours) to prevent decomposition.Alternatively, the jewelry manufacturer would have to produce the jewelry at the location where the biological material is collected and processed, or a biologist would have to carry out the necessary processing steps of the biological material directly at the jewelry's production site. Both options involve additional travel, coordination, and logistics, resulting in high costs and limitations.

[0014] The objective of the present invention is to produce a personalized gemstone using biological materials—in particular, intact human or animal cells—that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings. This objective is achieved with a gemstone according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0015] To produce the gemstone according to the invention, human or animal cells are first cultivated and harvested in cell cultures. This makes it possible to cultivate a large number of cells from a small number of cells, such as cells obtained from hair follicles, and to make them available for the gemstone manufacturing process. In contrast to the previously mentioned methods, which use either mixtures of different cell types and an indeterminate number of cells or inanimate biogenic material such as hair, nails, or breast milk, this method allows not only the precise determination of the cell type but also the control of the number of cells to be incorporated into the gemstone. Thus, the number of cells contained in the gemstone can be increased, which in turn ensures better visibility of the cells embedded in the gemstone under a microscope due to the higher cell density.This allows the customer to connect the gemstone with the individual from whom the biological material (i.e., the cells) originated, thus creating a stronger emotional bond. In particular, a higher cell count resulting from longer cell culture contributes to greater psychological and emotional value, as more of the individual's biological material is contained within the gemstone. Furthermore, after cultivation, the cells can be easily eluted from the culture medium enzymatically (e.g., with trypsin) or with other suitable solvents (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and are then available as individual cells, unlike tissue fragments obtained through other methods. However, the described process also allows for the incorporation of any other biological material into the gemstone.

[0016] In a further step, the cells are chemically fixed, then dehydrated, and subsequently suspended in uncured resin. The chemical fixation of the cells with suitable fixatives allows the natural shape and molecular structure of the cells to be preserved in their original state through chemical reactions. This step protects the shape and structure of the cells from potentially destructive influences of subsequent production steps or from natural degradation through autolysis or, for example, putrefaction. This ensures that the gemstone contains human or animal cells whose structure has been preserved, which can be visualized with standard microscopes at magnifications of 100x or higher and optically represent the structure of living cells.Fixation preserves both the individual molecular components in their chemical structure and the spherical, spiky, or other cell-typical shape of the cells in their natural state. This makes these cell shapes recognizable even under a microscope, allowing even laypersons to intuitively understand that they are dealing with biological cells.

[0017] Furthermore, due to the fixation and non-damaging resin embedding, the biological material truly represents the loved one, as all the unique characteristics of that person are preserved, giving the object an even higher psychological value.

[0018] Subsequent suspension in resin allows for the production of an artificial, cell-rich gemstone. In the next step, the resulting cell-resin mixture is cured in one piece to achieve the desired shape. By selecting a suitable resin, it is possible to produce the workpieces in a single piece, unlike the layer-by-layer manufacturing processes mentioned above. This significantly simplifies the manufacturing process, saving time and production costs, and making the process less prone to errors.

[0019] Furthermore, unlike the layer-by-layer production methods of previously known techniques, casting in one piece allows for the creation of a gemstone in which the previously introduced cells are evenly distributed throughout the entire volume of the gemstone. This facilitates the location and visualization of these cells using standard microscopes and simultaneously increases the emotional value of the gemstone, as it contains the cells of the desired individual as a personalization feature throughout its entire volume. Casting in one piece can be done in molds of any shape, allowing for significantly more flexible gemstone design compared to the aforementioned methods, since the process disclosed here is based neither on prefabricated jewelry pieces or ornaments nor on a layered construction of the gemstone.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the cells incorporated into the gemstone are derived from mesodermal cells, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts, or dermal papilla cells from hair follicles. Cells obtained from blood are another source of mesodermal cells, but are not limited to this. Furthermore, cells of ectodermal origin can also be used, obtained, for example, from the epidermal layer of the skin or from squamous epithelial cells of the inner cheek. The advantage of using the aforementioned cell types and sources is that they can be easily obtained, cultured, and multiplied with the appropriate laboratory equipment. This can be achieved, for example, by removing some hair, extracting the cells from the hair follicles, and cultivating them in a suitable cell culture medium.A similar approach would be used by scratching the inside of the cheek with a cotton swab or by taking cells from a drop of blood.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the described invention, the cell types incorporated into the gemstone are mixed in various ratios, and mixtures of cells from one or more donors (human-human, animal-animal, human-animal) are used. The desired mixture of cell types can be adapted to the customer's wishes and needs. Cells from several donors can also be incorporated into a single gemstone in different mixing ratios. This allows for further personalization of the gemstone. Furthermore, the use of different cell types incorporates a greater diversity of the donor's biological material, resulting in greater psychological value for the owner.

[0022] Another preferred embodiment of the invention makes it possible to determine and control the number of cells incorporated into the gemstone within specific areas. The number of cells can thus be tailored to the customer's requirements. This adjustment of the cell count allows for the production of gemstones of varying quality levels (e.g., basic / premium) and enables the customer to predetermine the perceived value of the item. Furthermore, a greater number of cells incorporated into the gemstone facilitates their visualization under a microscope.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, a fixative consisting of a hexamethylenetetramine-based solution is selected after cell harvesting. Preferably, the concentration of hexamethylenetetramine is 1.0 to 2.5 wt%. In a still more preferred embodiment, the fixative contains 1.0 to 3.0, preferably about 2%, alcohols with about 0.5% methanol. This has been shown to promote cell penetration. The advantage of this embodiment is that the use of this fixative ensures the skin compatibility and non-toxicity of the final product without impairing the effectiveness of the chemical fixation process. This is particularly important since the gemstones produced are also intended for direct wear on the skin.

[0024] According to another variant, after chemical fixation, the cells are dehydrated in a single process step using an alcohol-based solution. This solution can contain, for example, isopropanol, methanol, or ethanol. In this embodiment, the concentration of the alcoholic solution is between 50% and 100%, preferably between 65% and 75%. The treatment time is between 5 and 20 minutes, preferably 15 minutes. This step is preferably carried out at a temperature below 5°C, preferably at about 4°C. The purpose of dehydrating the cells is to prevent degradation processes that would occur due to aqueous components remaining in the cells. Dehydration prepares the cells for subsequent suspension in resin, with the removal of the aqueous components promoting uniform and comprehensive penetration of the cells by the resin, which further enhances the preservation effect.

[0025] In conventional dehydration processes, the dehydration solution is initially added in a diluted concentration. This solution is then removed and replaced with a higher-concentration dehydration solution. This process is repeated in several steps until the final concentration of the dehydration solution is reached. Treatment with a dehydration solution in a single process step has the advantage of eliminating these intermediate steps, saving time and significantly reducing the complexity of this process.

[0026] In a specific variant, the cells are suspended in an undiluted resin solution in a single step after dehydration and removal of the alcoholic solution. Unlike previously known methods where the resin solution is added in several steps, with the concentration of the resin solution increasing in each step, this variant reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process and production costs, as less resin is used and the production time per unit is shorter.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a two-component epoxy resin is used as the resin. This resin exhibits low viscosity and long processing times of up to 6 hours, long curing times of 24 to 96 hours, and processing and curing temperatures, preferably from 20 to 25 °C, with maximum temperatures remaining below 40 °C. Due to the low viscosity of the starting material, a uniform distribution of the cells in the suspension can be ensured, as thorough mixing of the liquid phase with the cells can be achieved. This guarantees a uniform and comprehensive distribution of the cells throughout the entire volume of the gemstone, thus making it possible to easily locate and visualize the cells using commercially available microscopes. Prior detachment of the cells from the cell culture surface by enzymatic removal, e.g., with [a specific agent], further facilitates this process.By using trypsin or the solvent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for gentle detachment, while maintaining the cells in a more spiky conformational state, the cells can be viewed as individual cells under a microscope. After mixing the cells with the resin, a suspension of individual cells is formed, unlike when using tissue samples. The cells are thus evenly distributed throughout the entire base material (i.e., epoxy resin) of the gemstone. This allows the cells to be microscopically detected throughout the entire gemstone. The cells are undamaged and contain all cellular components, including cell-specific organelles and a complete set of genetic material (DNA) from the individual from which the cells were derived, contributing to the symbolic value of the gemstone.

[0028] The long processing times of the epoxy resin allow for the production of numerous different gemstones in a single operation, as the epoxy resin can be used for several hours after production to further process the gemstones. After the cell suspension is prepared in resin, it is poured in one piece into pre-made molds according to claim 1, which, compared to previous methods, enables a simple and error-resistant production process. The epoxy resin used also allows casting in smaller molds (e.g., cylinders with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm and a length of 5 to 10 mm) because its low viscosity leads to reduced capillary action, effectively minimizing the formation of voids within the mold. Unlike UV resins, the preferred resin can also cure in the dark. This allows the gemstones to be placed in a pressure chamber for curing.When curing UV resins in a pressure chamber, a UV lamp would have to be placed in the pressure chamber, which brings with it various complications, as described below.

[0029] The two-component epoxy resin used in this process also makes it possible to cast the gemstones in one piece, unlike previous methods using other materials.

[0030] Materials (e.g., UV resin or structures made of various materials) that require a layer-by-layer build-up of the workpiece. From a process engineering perspective, this offers numerous advantages, such as time savings, simplified production technology, uniform distribution of cells or other biological materials throughout the entire volume of the workpiece, and the potential to produce a greater variety of shapes than with layer-by-layer construction.

[0031] The specific resin and the application method used allow for low working temperatures of preferably 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, but not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, during processing and curing, as long as the resulting gemstones remain within the aforementioned size ranges. This prevents the destruction or denaturation of the biological materials contained within, thus ensuring that the cells in the finished gemstone retain their natural, microscopically visible cellular structure. Once cured, the resin provides protection against UV radiation and various chemicals (e.g., skin acids). It is well-suited for wearing as a gemstone in direct contact with the skin.

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment, the cellular resin suspension is poured into the desired pre-made molds and then cured in a pressure chamber at an air pressure of 40 to 80 psi, preferably 70 to 75 psi. This process step ensures that any air bubbles trapped in the resin are optically removed, as they are compressed beyond a visible size. When using UV resin, it should be noted that additional UV lamps would need to be installed in the pressure chamber. When using many small molds, this would significantly increase complexity due to the uneven / insufficient irradiation by UV light in such molds. Furthermore, if the gemstone is built up layer by layer, the curing process in the pressure chamber would have to be repeated several times, implying costly production steps.Thanks to the high flexibility of the available shapes, gemstones can be produced for use in a wide variety of jewelry and in many different forms. The jewelry maker can create suitable cavities or gemstone settings in the desired pieces and then simply glue or clamp the gemstones into these cavities in a single step.

[0033] Another preferred embodiment provides that the gemstones can be fitted and glued into any piece of jewelry, shaped, and polished. Furthermore, the gemstone according to the invention can be shipped by mail to jewelry manufacturers worldwide without complex cooling processes, since the biological material it contains is chemically fixed and thus stable within the resin over a wide temperature range. With dimensions of approximately 1 to 10 mm in length and approximately 1 to 10 mm in diameter and width, and a weight of up to 10 g, the gemstones are suitable for standard mailing.

[0034] According to another variation, a further post-processing step is added in which the artificial gemstone is inserted into the cavity (e.g., a drilled hole) of a natural gemstone. The natural gemstone containing the artificial gemstone is then attached to or set into a cavity of a piece of jewelry.

[0035] This offers logistical advantages compared to previous methods. In particular, the production of personalized gemstones can be carried out independently of goldsmiths or jewelry manufacturers. The cells can be cultivated and processed in a central laboratory and crafted into gemstones of any shape. Multiple gemstones can be produced from a single cell culture, making it possible to create several personalized pieces of jewelry or to keep backup copies of the personalized gemstones in case of loss. The gemstones can then be further processed by any jewelry manufacturer, fitted into various pieces, glued in place, and ultimately finished. For this, a cavity is created in the intended piece of jewelry that precisely matches the dimensions of the gemstone. The gemstone is then glued into this cavity.

[0036] The incorporation and further processing of the gemstones can be carried out using the usual tools of a goldsmith or watchmaker. Previous logistical difficulties arising from the fact that the biological materials are directly incorporated into the finished piece of jewelry are eliminated by the present method for producing the gemstone according to the invention. The method enables the production of personalized gemstones, which can then be shipped worldwide via supply chains for further processing. The immediate processing of the biological material after harvesting the cells eliminates the need for special storage technology, such as refrigeration, and avoids logistical difficulties that could arise when transporting the biological material to a jewelry manufacturer.

[0037] The present invention relates to a gemstone comprising a synthetic resin and human or animal cells embedded therein, characterized in that the structural composition of the cells enclosed in the gemstone is preserved to such an extent that it optically represents the structure of living cells. The enclosed cells can have different shapes (e.g., spherical, spiky). They are distributed throughout the entire volume of the gemstone and can be visualized with commercially available microscopes with an optical magnification of 100x or more. The cells are recognizable as biological cells under the microscope.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment, microscopic images are taken during the gemstone manufacturing process to document the cells in the cell culture or the cells contained in the gemstone, and these images can be supplied as an add-on to the piece of jewelry. This serves to make the cells incorporated into the gemstone visible to the viewer and thus further emphasize the emotional value of the gemstone.

[0039] In another embodiment, the resin used is colored. This can be done with any desired color. Coloring the resin allows for the individual color design of the gemstones according to various customer wishes, thus enabling further personalization of the gemstone. Other decorative materials, such as diamond dust or glitter, can also be incorporated into the resin to alter the color and visual appearance. This allows for further individualization of the gemstone and increases its overall aesthetic value.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures in which Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of the process, Fig. 2. Fitting the gemstone (example: cylindrical shape) into a piece of jewelry and Fig. Figure 3 shows a gemstone as defined in the invention.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the first step (1) is the extraction of cells from human or animal organisms. The second step (2) shows how the cells are multiplied in a cell culture and then harvested.

[0042] In a further step 3, the cells are chemically fixed with a suitable fixing agent and the cell mixture is then dehydrated with an alcohol-based solution.

[0043] In a further step 4, the cells are suspended in a synthetic resin.

[0044] In step 5, the suspension of resin and cells is poured into a mold and allowed to harden. After hardening, the artificial stone produced in steps 1-5 is removed from the mold in a further step 6 and can now be further processed by the goldsmith.

[0045] Fig. Figure 2 shows the setting of a gemstone into a piece of jewelry (e.g., a ring). The finished gemstone 7 has a cylindrical shape, as shown here. Other shapes are possible according to further embodiments. However, a cylindrical shape has an advantage: To fit a gemstone into a piece of jewelry, a cavity 9 is created in the piece of jewelry—in this case, a ring. This is particularly easy with a drill, which bores a cylindrical cavity 9 into the piece of jewelry. The gemstone is glued into this cavity 9. Excess gemstone can then be removed and polished so that it forms a cohesive whole with the rest of the piece of jewelry.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3 shows a microscopic image of an exemplary artificial gemstone, in which the individual cells 10, fixed in their structure, can be seen in their uniform distribution over the entire volume of the gemstone. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2004105540A1

[0003] US 2022361637A1

[0003] CA 2516994A1

[0004] US 10517360B1

[0005] WO 2015138951A1

[0005] CN 203073172U

[0006] CN 102783771A

[0006] CN 103782832A

[0006]

Claims

[1] Gemstone (7) made of a synthetic resin and human or animal cells (10) embedded therein, characterized by that the structural composition of the cells enclosed in the gemstone (7) is preserved to such an extent that it optically represents the structure of living cells (10). [2] Gemstone (7) according to claim 1, in which microscopic images of the embedded cells are taken, which document the manufacturing process of the gemstone (7) or depict the cells (10) fixed in their structure contained in the gemstone (7). [3] Gemstone (7) according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin is colored or diamond dust, glitter or other decorative materials are incorporated into the synthetic resin. [4] Gemstone (7) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the cultured human or animal cells originate from mesodermal cells, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts or dermal papilla cells from hair follicles, but also mesodermal cells derived from blood. [5] Gemstone (7) according to claim 1, wherein the cultured human or animal cells originate from ectodermal cells obtained, for example, from the epidermal layer of the inner cheek skin. [6] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cell types incorporated into the gemstone (1) are mixed in different ratios and / or different compositions of cells from one or more donors (human-human, animal-animal, human-animal) are used. [7] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the number of cells incorporated into the gemstone (2) is determined and controlled during the manufacturing process according to the customer's wishes within certain ranges. [8] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cells were chemically fixed after harvesting with a non-toxic fixative (3), preferably with a hexamethylenetetramine-based solution with a concentration of 1 to 2.5% by weight, in order to ensure the skin compatibility and atoxicity of the gemstone and to preserve the structure of the cells as best as possible. [9] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cells, after chemical fixation, were dehydrated in a single step with an alcoholic solution (e.g. isopropanol, methanol or ethanol) in a concentration of 50 to 100 percent, preferably 65 to 75 percent (3) in order to ensure a longer shelf life of the final product and a uniform penetration of the cells with the synthetic resin used. [10] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a two-component epoxy resin is used as the synthetic resin, which has a low viscosity and a processing time of 1 to 10 hours, a curing time of up to 96 hours and allows curing temperatures below 40° Celsius, preferably in the range of 20 to 25° Celsius. [11] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cellular resin suspension was cured in a pressure chamber and therefore only contains compressed air bubbles under visual inspection. [12] Gemstone (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is attached to or fitted into a piece of jewellery (8) and is glued into a cavity (9) of the jewellery, which has the same shape and is polished so as to fit perfectly into the jewellery. [13] Gemstone (7) according to one of the preceding claims, which is inserted into a cavity (e.g. a drilled hole) of a natural gemstone, wherein the natural gemstone contains the artificial gemstone.

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