3D Cell Culture Electrode Structure for Stable Neuronal Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D in vitro cell culture systems face challenges in maintaining mechanical stability, ensuring consistent distance between cells and electrodes for accurate signal measurement, preventing damage to cultivated samples during measurement, and enabling connection between multiple cultures without disrupting neuronal activity.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional cell culture device with a plate, permeable bottom sheet, and integrated electrodes, allowing for continuous monitoring and real-time imaging, while enabling movement and connection of 3D cultures without losing recording capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If 3D in vitro cultures are positioned to rest on the surface of 2D MEA without tethering, then the spatial organization of neurons is preserved, but mechanical shock may lead to dislodgement and measurement unreliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can be deformed to accommodate 3D neuronal cultures while maintaining mechanical stability. The membrane acts as a supportive structure that prevents dislodgement during mechanical shocks but allows the neurons to maintain their three-dimensional spatial organization without being tethered to the electrode array.
2Measurement precision
If the distance between neurons and electrodes is decreased by tethering 3D culture to MEA, then signal pickup is improved, but the spatial organization of neurons is perturbed and information about 3D neuronal activity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional planar 2D electrode array to a three-dimensional electrode structure that extends into the depth of the culture well. This dimensional change allows electrodes to be positioned at multiple depths within the 3D neuronal network, improving signal pickup from neurons at various distances without requiring the neurons to be tethered to a flat surface.
3Ease of operation
If MEA chip is pulled out of incubator for measurement, then signal recording is enabled, but cultivated cell sample may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electrode array and measurement system directly into the culture vessel or incubator environment. The electrodes are positioned within the culture medium in a manner that allows continuous or periodic measurement without requiring removal of the culture from the incubator, thereby maintaining cell sample integrity while enabling signal recording.
4Measurement precision
If electrodes are coated to encourage neuron growth, then neuron-electrode contact is improved, but the distance variability between neurons and electrodes in 3D culture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, deformable membrane structure that allows dynamic adjustment of electrode positions relative to the 3D neuronal network. The membrane can be deformed to optimize the distance between electrodes and neurons during different stages of culture development, maintaining precise distance control while accommodating neuron growth and electroplating 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
Enables stable, precise measurement of neuronal activity in 3D cultures, allowing for real-time imaging and connection with external acquisition systems, while minimizing mechanical perturbation and sample damage.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable bottom sheet configured to retain the at least one cultivated cell while allowing liquid culture medium to flow through
Implementation Method 2
at least one electrode for measuring the electric activity of the cultivated cells
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional cell culture device configured to cultivate cells presenting an electric activity, the culture device includes a plate having at least one well presenting two open extremities, the well being configured to receive at least one cell to be cultivated, a permeable bottom sheet connected to the plate, the bottom sheet closing one open extremity of the well, at least one electrode for measuring the electric activity of the cultivated cells, at least one connection system configured to connect the at least one electrode to an external acquisition system. The cell culture device further includes an electrode support element connected to the plate, configured to carry the at least one electrode, the electrode being configured to extend inside the well.