Acoustic Levitation for Layered Cell Structuring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for structuring cellular assemblies, such as those used in organ-on-a-chip and organoid research, are complex, costly, and often result in high cell mortality, with limited control over cell connections and interactions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing acoustic levitation to structure cellular assemblies by arranging fluid and suspended objects in a cavity and generating a stationary acoustic wave, which causes objects with positive or negative acoustic contrast to move towards nodes or antinodes, forming layered structures rapidly and efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If acoustic levitation is used to structure cells, then structuring speed is improved and cell mortality is reduced, but control over connection development between layers is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructuring speedVSAvoidcontrol over connection development

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A porous intermediate layer is introduced between cell layers to mediate interactions. This intermediate layer acts as a controlled interface that allows selective passage of nutrients, signaling molecules, and cellular extensions, thereby enabling control over connection development while maintaining the rapid structuring capability of acoustic levitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The porosity parameter of the intermediate layer is adjusted to control the degree of interaction between cell layers. By varying porosity, the system can regulate diffusion rates, mechanical coupling, and cellular migration, thus controlling connection development without compromising structuring speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional structuring techniques are used, then control over cell connections is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over cell connectionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical manipulation systems are replaced with acoustic field-based structuring. The acoustic levitation system uses sound waves to position cells and form layers, eliminating the need for complex mechanical manipulators while maintaining control over cell connections through acoustic parameter adjustment and intermediate layer design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic levitation system performs multiple functions: it structures cells into layers, maintains cell viability during structuring, and enables controlled interactions between layers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional structuring techniques are used, then cell connections can be controlled, but cell mortality increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over cell connectionsVSAvoidcell mortality

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Mechanical manipulation that causes shear stress and cell damage is replaced with acoustic field-based structuring. The acoustic radiation force gently manipulates cells into desired configurations without the high shear stresses associated with mechanical methods, thereby reducing cell mortality while maintaining control over connection development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The porous intermediate layer provides a cushioning effect between cell layers, absorbing mechanical stresses and protecting cells from damage during the structuring process. This protective layer reduces cell mortality by preventing direct mechanical contact and stress concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This method allows for the rapid formation of layered cellular structures resembling human organ tissues, with controlled interactions and reduced cell mortality, while maintaining objects in acoustic levitation for extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

generating a stationary acoustic wave in the cavity so as to produce an acoustic radiation force causing the objects to move in the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation force: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

The invention makes it possible to maintain all the objects structured in this way in acoustic levitation, under the action of the stationary acoustic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic levitation: Acoustic Levitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250115862A1Structuring a set of objects such as cells and micron-sized particles using acoustic force

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)

AI summary

A technique for moving various objects such as cells and particles of hydrogel or a compressible material, suspended in a fluid, so as to form a layered structure akin to human organ tissue. A standing sound wave is propagated through the fluid so as to position the cells on a pressure node and the particles on a pressure antinode. As such, the cells have a positive acoustic contrast relative to the fluid, while the particles have a negative acoustic contrast relative to the fluid.