3D Airways Epithelium Nebulization Assay for Inflammation Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a simple, robust, cost-effective, and accurate assay for evaluating the efficacy of nebulization treatments for airways pathologies, particularly inflammation and inflammatory processes such as SARS-coronavirus infection, as nebulization is rarely used in current treatments.
Innovation Solution
An in-vitro airways nebulization assay using a nebulization system with a nebulizer apparatus and 3D reconstructed airways epithelium to assess treatment efficacy by measuring mRNA expression levels of inflammatory interleukins such as IL-1, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-17, and TNF-alpha.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nebulization is used for airways treatment, then treatment efficiency is improved, but lack of accurate assay prevents evaluation of treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an in-vitro copy of human airways epithelium using 3D reconstructed models that replicate the structure and function of native airways tissue. This allows accurate measurement of nebulization treatment effects without requiring complex in-vivo models, thereby enabling precise evaluation of treatment efficacy while maintaining treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary assay system that mediates between the nebulization treatment and the measurement process. The 3D airways epithelium model serves as an intermediary that can be exposed to nebulized treatments and then assessed for inflammatory responses, bridging the gap between treatment application and efficacy evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If complex assay systems are developed to evaluate nebulization efficacy, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable 3D airways epithelium models that can be prepared and used in a standardized manner. These models are relatively simple to manufacture and use, avoiding the need for complex, expensive, and difficult-to-maintain assay systems while still providing accurate measurement of nebulization treatment effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assay into distinct, manageable components: 3D epithelium model preparation, nebulization treatment application, and inflammatory response measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system compared to integrated complex assays.
3Reliability
If in-vivo models are used for treatment evaluation, then physiological relevance is improved, but simplicity and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies of human airways epithelium using 3D reconstructed models that capture the essential physiological features needed for evaluating nebulization treatments. These models provide sufficient physiological relevance for assessing inflammatory responses while being far more cost-effective and simpler to implement than in-vivo animal or human models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential functional elements of airways epithelium needed for treatment evaluation and isolates them in a 3D reconstructed model. This extraction removes the complexity and cost of entire in-vivo systems while retaining the key physiological characteristics necessary for assessing nebulization treatment efficacy on inflammatory processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assay provides a reliable method to evaluate the effects of products on airways pathologies by measuring significant modulation of inflammatory interleukin mRNA expression, demonstrating the efficacy of nebulization treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a nebulization system as disclosed in fig. 1 with a nebulizer apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a compressor (10) ; an air pipe (9) to propel the solution to be tested into the nozzle (7) through the vaporizer head (6)
Implementation Method 3
measuring the mRNA expression levels of at least one inflammatory interleukin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An in-vitro airways nebulization assay, comprising α nebulization system with α nebulizer apparatus and α 3D reconstructed airways epithelium. The invention provides the use of an in vitro airways nebulizing assay for evaluating the effect of products or active ingredients or botanical extracts on airways pathologies and particularly on inflammation and/or inflammatory processes.