Portable cell migration equipment based on surface acoustic waves

Abstract

The utility model provides portable cell migration equipment based on surface acoustic waves, the portable cell migration equipment comprises a base, a surface acoustic wave generator and a driving mechanism, the base is provided with a sample groove, the sample groove is used for accommodating a cell solution sample, the surface acoustic wave generator is movably arranged in the sample groove, and the surface acoustic wave generator is used for emitting surface acoustic waves; the driving mechanism is mounted on the base and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the surface acoustic wave generator to move in the sample groove. According to the equipment, the surface acoustic wave generator is used for generating surface acoustic waves to promote cell migration, the surface acoustic waves do not need to make direct contact with a sample, pollution and damage to the biological sample are avoided, and meanwhile the position of the surface acoustic wave generator and the strength of the surface acoustic waves can be accurately adjusted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and specifically relates to a portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic waves. BACKGROUND

[0002] Cell migration is the basis of many important physiological processes, such as embryonic development, tissue repair and immune response, etc. In these processes, cells need to migrate to specific locations to complete their functions. Cell migration is closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases. For example, the enhanced migration ability of cancer cells is one of the key steps of tumor metastasis, and the cell migration triggered by inflammation is also involved in the occurrence of many diseases. Studying the mechanism of cell migration is crucial for revealing the basic laws of life activities and the mechanisms of disease occurrence. Cell migration experiments provide scientists with a controllable experimental environment, enabling them to simulate in vivo migration processes and conduct in-depth research. Through in vitro research on promoting cell migration and proliferation, new ideas and methods can be provided for disease treatment. For example, in the study of hematopoietic stem cells, in vitro expansion technology can increase the number of hematopoietic stem cells, which is of great significance for the treatment of blood diseases. Research on in vitro promotion of cell proliferation also includes cell immortalization technology, which helps us understand the molecular mechanisms of cell proliferation and aging, and lays the foundation for tumor treatment and organ transplantation research. Research on the regulatory role of extracellular matrix (ECM) on cell behavior shows that ECM not only provides attachment sites and structural support for cells, but also regulates cell activity and provides important biological information for organ / tissue function. Changes in ECM affect cell signaling and cell response, thereby affecting cell adhesion, polarization, migration, proliferation, and regulation of cell differentiation fate, etc. In tumor research, the role of gamma synuclein in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, migration and chemotherapy resistance has been widely studied, which helps to develop new anti-cancer strategies and improve the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, research on in vitro promotion of cell migration and proliferation not only helps us better understand the basic laws of life activities, but also has important application prospects in disease treatment and drug development.

[0003] There are various means to promote cell migration, such as electric field, which is a basic signal to guide cell migration in wound healing. Skolimowski et al. constructed a fully flexible high-performance thermoelectric device that is tightly sealed within a biocompatible substrate. The flexible thermoelectric device exhibits extremely high power generation efficiency, generating several microvolt-level electric power in the body by collecting the temperature difference between the skin and the environment. The generated electric power can actively adjust the flow of fibroblasts and effectively improve their activity at the cellular level. These effects collectively lead to faster closure of full-thickness skin wounds. However, it is still a challenge for cells to perceive very weak electric signals. When stimulating cells with electric signals, too high electric signals can cause damage to cells, including thermal damage or electric shock, which limits the selection of electric signal strength and duration. In practical applications, it is a challenge to precisely control electric signals to achieve precise regulation of cell behavior. Inconsistent distribution of electric signals can lead to inconsistent behavior of cells. In addition, the effects of parameters such as electric field strength, electric stimulation time and method are not clear, which makes it difficult to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment. In addition, the study of magnetic field promoting cell migration proposes that medium-strength static magnetic field (1-1000 mT) can affect the biological behaviors of osteoblasts such as adhesion, migration and differentiation, but it is necessary to precisely control the strength and frequency of magnetic field. The specific mechanism of action of magnetic field on cells is not fully clear, which limits its application in promoting cell migration.

[0004] Skolimowski et al. also proposed a cell-based cell regeneration and wound healing device platform, which contains a modified cell combination that can secrete growth factors and other bioactive proteins. Engineered cells that produce growth factors are encapsulated in inert fibers to protect them from immune system cells, but can exchange nutrients and release active molecules and remove the device after treatment, thereby improving the safety of wound healing treatment. However, the effects of chemical factors on cell proliferation and migration are dose-dependent. Different concentrations of chemical factors can produce different effects, high concentrations may inhibit cell proliferation, while low concentrations may promote cell proliferation. Different cell types may also respond differently to the same chemical factor. Some chemical factors may be toxic to cells or cause side effects, which limits their application in promoting cell proliferation and migration.

[0005] Furthermore, surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based acoustofluidic technology has garnered significant attention in lab-on-a-chip research. Because the energy and momentum carried by SAW waves during their formation and propagation can be precisely controlled through various designs, such as different interdigitated electrode (IDT) designs and material selections, it has been widely applied in the manipulation and analysis of biological samples. SAW technology eliminates the need for direct contact with the sample, avoiding contamination and damage to biological samples, which is crucial for maintaining the biological activity and integrity of cells. This technology enables highly precise and flexible control, including the adjustment of parameters such as frequency, intensity, and phase, making cell manipulation more precise and flexible. It can also be applied to various media, increasing its applicability in different experimental conditions and application scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem addressed by this application is: how to provide a portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic waves.

[0007] This application provides a portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic waves, the portable cell migration device comprising:

[0008] The base is provided with a sample slot for holding cell solution samples;

[0009] A surface acoustic wave generator is movably disposed in the sample cell and is used to emit surface acoustic waves.

[0010] A driving mechanism is mounted on the base and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the surface acoustic wave generator to move in the sample cell.

[0011] Optionally, the drive mechanism is movably mounted on the base.

[0012] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes:

[0013] A slider, which is slidably mounted on the base;

[0014] A drive assembly is mounted on the slider and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator.

[0015] Optionally, the driving component includes:

[0016] A linear motor, which is mounted on the slider;

[0017] A lead screw, which is connected to the output shaft of the linear motor;

[0018] A connector, one end of which is threaded to the lead screw and the other end of which is connected to the surface acoustic wave generator.

[0019] Optionally, the moving direction of the connecting piece relative to the screw rod is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding block.

[0020] Optionally, the other end of the connecting piece is provided with a clamping part, and the surface acoustic wave generator is detachably installed on the clamping part.

[0021] Optionally, the base is provided with a sliding groove, and the sliding block is in sliding connection with the sliding groove.

[0022] Optionally, the driving assembly further comprises an auxiliary rod, the connecting piece is provided with a through hole, and the auxiliary rod is arranged in the through hole and parallel to the screw rod.

[0023] The portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave provided by the application has the following technical effects:

[0024] The surface acoustic wave generator is driven by the driving mechanism to move in the sample tank, the surface acoustic wave is generated by the surface acoustic wave generator to promote cell migration, the surface acoustic wave does not need to directly contact the sample, and the pollution and damage to the biological sample are avoided, and meanwhile, the position of the surface acoustic wave generator and the intensity of the surface acoustic wave can be accurately adjusted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave according to one or more embodiments;

[0026] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the action mechanism of surface acoustic wave promoting cell migration according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a cell migration situation of a surface acoustic wave group and a control group according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the application clearer, the application is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the application and not to limit the application.

[0029] Before various embodiments of the present application are described in detail, the technical concept of the present application is first described simply: current means for promoting cell migration generally include electric field adjustment, magnetic field adjustment, chemical factor adjustment, etc., and these means have technical problems such as difficulty in accurately regulating intensity and damage to cells. To this end, the portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave provided by the present application drives the surface acoustic wave generator to move in the sample tank through a driving mechanism, uses the surface acoustic wave generator to generate surface acoustic waves to promote cell migration, and the surface acoustic wave does not need to directly contact the sample, thereby avoiding pollution and damage to the biological sample, and meanwhile the position of the surface acoustic wave generator and the intensity of the surface acoustic wave can be accurately adjusted. The specific principle of the portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave of the present application will be described in combination with more embodiments.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 The portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave of the present application includes a base 10, a surface acoustic wave generator 20, and a driving mechanism. The base 10 is provided with a sample tank 11 for containing a cell solution sample. The surface acoustic wave generator 20 is movably arranged in the sample tank 11 and is used to emit surface acoustic waves. The driving mechanism is installed on the base and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator 20, and is used to drive the surface acoustic wave generator 20 to move in the sample tank 11, thereby achieving cell promotion on the cell solution sample in the sample tank 11. The form of the driving mechanism can be various, as long as it can drive the surface acoustic wave generator 20 to move.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the driving mechanism is movably installed on the base 10, so that the surface acoustic wave generator 20 can move in a larger range. Illustratively, the driving mechanism includes a sliding block 31 and a driving assembly 32. The sliding block 31 is slidingly installed on the base 10, and the driving assembly 32 is installed on the sliding block and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator 20. The sliding block 31 can drive the driving mechanism to move as a whole, and the driving assembly 32 can drive the surface acoustic wave generator 20 to move locally. The former is equivalent to coarsely adjusting the position of the surface acoustic wave generator 20, and the latter is equivalent to finely adjusting the position of the surface acoustic wave generator 20, which is beneficial to accurately regulate the position.

[0032] Illustratively, the base 10 is provided with a sliding groove 12, and the sliding block 31 is slidingly connected with the sliding groove 12 to realize the sliding of the sliding block 31.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the driving assembly 32 comprises a linear motor 321, a screw rod 322, a connecting piece 323, the linear motor 321 is installed on the sliding block 31, the screw rod 322 is connected with the output shaft of the linear motor 321, one end of the connecting piece 323 is threadedly connected with the screw rod 322, and the other end of the connecting piece 323 is connected with the surface acoustic wave generator 20. When the linear motor 321 is started, the screw rod 322 is driven to rotate, so that the connecting piece 323 moves relative to the screw rod 322, thereby driving the surface acoustic wave generator 20 to move. Exemplarily, the moving direction of the connecting piece 323 relative to the screw rod 322 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding block 31, so that the position of the surface acoustic wave generator 20 can be adjusted in two directions perpendicular to each other.

[0034] Further, the driving assembly 32 further comprises an auxiliary rod 324, the connecting piece 323 is provided with a through hole, the auxiliary rod 324 is arranged in the through hole and is arranged in parallel with the screw rod 322, and the stability of the connecting piece 323 during movement can be improved through the auxiliary rod 324. Exemplarily, the number of the auxiliary rods 324 is two, which are distributed on both sides of the screw rod 322. Exemplarily, the sliding block 31 is provided with a mounting portion 33, and the linear motor 321, the screw rod 322 and the auxiliary rod 324 are all mounted on the mounting portion 33.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the other end of the connecting piece 323 is provided with a clamping portion 325, and the surface acoustic wave generator 20 is detachably mounted on the clamping portion 325. The clamping mounting mode facilitates replacement of different types of surface acoustic wave generators 20.

[0036] Exemplarily, the surface acoustic wave generator 20 is an interdigital transducer (IDT) chip, which generates a surface acoustic wave. The surface acoustic wave forms a standing wave in the cell solution sample, and the cells are activated by the vibration caused by the standing wave phenomenon.

[0037] The action principle and effect of the portable cell migration device based on the surface acoustic wave of the present embodiment will be described below in combination with specific examples and comparative examples.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 2 the interdigital transducer (IDT) induced surface acoustic wave (SAW) induces the cells to exhibit enhanced migration ability after vibration stimulation, and the cells at the stimulation site rapidly extend lamellipodia, thereby completing gap closure and accelerating the gap closure between cells.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, Figure 3 in the cell migration control experiment, the surface acoustic wave (SAW) group forms a cell bridge in the wound gap at 18 hours, and rapidly repairs the wound gap, while the control group (Control) still has a relatively large wound gap, and the width of the red part in the figure represents the width of the gap.

[0040] The portable cell migration device based on surface acoustic wave provided by the embodiment has the following technical effects:

[0041] (1) Non-invasive and non-polluting: the surface acoustic wave technology does not need to directly contact the sample, avoiding the pollution and damage to the biological sample, which is crucial for maintaining the biological activity and integrity of the cells.

[0042] (2) Precise control: the energy and frequency of the surface acoustic wave are more controllable, and the wavelength is close to the size of the cell, so the cell can be directly manipulated.

[0043] (3) Improve the material transfer rate: by optimizing the control parameters, the surface acoustic wave generates a very high speed liquid flow in the stem cell culture medium, greatly improving the material transfer rate between biochemical factors and cells.

[0044] (4) Parameter customization: the energy required for stem cell differentiation can be completely customized, forming microwave vibration on the cell at a rate of tens of millions per second to stimulate the activity of stem cells.

[0045] The specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail above, although some embodiments have been shown and described, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments can be modified and improved without departing from the principles and spirits of the present application, which are defined by the claims and their equivalents, and these modifications and improvements should also be within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave, characterized by, The portable cell migration device comprises: a base provided with a sample groove for accommodating a cell solution sample; a surface acoustic wave generator movably arranged in the sample groove and used for emitting surface acoustic waves; a driving mechanism mounted on the base and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator, and used for driving the surface acoustic wave generator to move in the sample groove.

2. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 1, wherein, The driving mechanism is movably mounted on the base.

3. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 2, wherein, The driving mechanism comprises: a sliding block slidingly mounted on the base; a driving assembly mounted on the sliding block and connected to the surface acoustic wave generator.

4. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 3, wherein The driving assembly comprises: a linear motor mounted on the sliding block; a screw rod connected to an output shaft of the linear motor; a connecting piece having one end threadedly connected to the screw rod and the other end connected to the surface acoustic wave generator.

5. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 4, wherein The moving direction of the connecting piece relative to the screw rod is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding block.

6. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 4, wherein The other end of the connecting piece is provided with a clamping portion, and the surface acoustic wave generator is detachably mounted on the clamping portion.

7. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 3, wherein The base is provided with a sliding groove, and the sliding block is slidingly connected to the sliding groove.

8. The portable cell migration apparatus based on surface acoustic wave according to claim 4, wherein The driving assembly further comprises an auxiliary rod, the connecting piece is provided with a through hole, and the auxiliary rod is arranged in the through hole and parallel to the screw rod.

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