Actuable Tissue Attachment Structure for Cardiac Cycle Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in vitro myocardial tissue screening platforms fail to accurately replicate the mechanical loading environment of myocardial tissues, leading to unnatural stress and strain on tissues due to non-actuable attachment structures, which limits their effectiveness in simulating the full cardiac cycle and accurately predicting therapy outcomes.
Innovation Solution
The development of cardio tissue testing systems with actuable attachment structures, such as electromagnetic, fluidic, or electrically actuated systems, that allow for controlled movement of tissue constructs to mimic the full cardiac cycle, including isometric contraction, shortening, and lengthening phases, thereby replicating in vivo pressure-volume relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If non-actuable attachment structures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to replicate in vivo mechanical loading environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, actuable system that can change its mechanical properties in real-time. The piston-based mechanism allows the attachment structure to adapt its stiffness and movement characteristics to match the cardiac cycle phases, thereby replicating in vivo mechanical loading conditions while maintaining controlled complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If actuable attachment structures are implemented, then physiological fidelity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with electromagnetic actuation mechanisms. Instead of using traditional mechanical linkages, gears, or hydraulic systems that would increase device complexity, the invention employs magnetic fields to control the piston movement, thereby achieving physiological fidelity through a more streamlined and controllable actuation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuable attachment structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, applies physiological loading, and enables controlled movement throughout the cardiac cycle. By integrating these functions into a single piston-based system actuated by electromagnetic fields, the design avoids the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thus managing complexity while enhancing physiological fidelity.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple energy transfer attachment structures are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision of mechanical loading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuable attachment structure incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor and adjust the mechanical loading in real-time. By sensing the actual forces and displacements occurring during the cardiac cycle, the system can precisely control the piston movement to match target loading conditions, thereby achieving high measurement precision while maintaining manufacturability through automated control rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
These systems provide a more physiologically faithful mechanical environment, enhancing the accuracy of therapy screening and disease modeling, and enabling more reliable in vitro testing by accurately simulating the mechanical constraints experienced by myocardial cells in the body.
Implementation Method 1
the slidable piston is actuable by a magnetic field being applied to the magnet
Implementation Method 2
the slidable piston is actuable by fluidic pressure being applied to the chamber
Implementation Method 3
the actuable tissue attachment structure comprises an electrically actuable material
Data Source
AI summary
Various cardio tissue testing wells with an actuable attachment structure therein, and testing systems incorporating such wells therein. The various well embodiments can include an actuable attachment structure that is actuated by external energy, such as a magnetic field, fluidic pressure, or electrical actuation. The various system embodiments can include a controller, a power source, and a testing plate containing a plurality of wells, wherein each well includes an actuable attachment structure.