Bionic Organ Chip With Piezoelectric Stretching Without Vacuum Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional organ chips that simulate organ stretching and contraction using vacuum systems are complex, costly, and can damage membranes, while animal experiments are costly and unpredictable.

Innovation Solution

A bionic organ device utilizing a piezoelectric element and flexible covering to simulate organ stretching and contraction, eliminating the need for a vacuum system and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum system is used to stretch cells in organ chip, then the bionic effect of organ stretching and contraction is achieved, but the membrane is damaged and the manufacturing process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebionic effectVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the vacuum system from the organ chip structure, extracting the harmful component that caused membrane damage and manufacturing complexity. The stretching function is achieved through a different mechanism (piezoelectric actuator) that does not require vacuum pumping, thus eliminating the associated complexity and damage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the vacuum-based mechanical stretching system with a piezoelectric actuator that uses electro-mechanical conversion to achieve controlled stretching. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum pumps and complex sealing systems, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the bionic stretching effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a vacuum system is used to stretch cells in organ chip, then the bionic effect of organ stretching and contraction is achieved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebionic effectVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the vacuum system from the organ chip structure, extracting the harmful component that caused membrane damage and manufacturing complexity. The stretching function is achieved through a different mechanism (piezoelectric actuator) that does not require vacuum pumping, thus eliminating the associated complexity and damage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the vacuum-based mechanical stretching system with a piezoelectric actuator that uses electro-mechanical conversion to achieve controlled stretching. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum pumps and complex sealing systems, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the bionic stretching effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If animal experiments are used to study organ functions, then comprehensive physiological data can be obtained, but the cycle is long and cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological dataVSAvoidexperiment cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of organ tissue using cell cultures on a chip platform. This artificial organ model replicates key physiological functions and responses without requiring whole animal subjects, thereby reducing experiment time and cost while maintaining the ability to obtain relevant physiological data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the complex organ system into isolated tissue cultures that can be studied independently on a chip. This segmentation allows for focused physiological studies without the complexity and time requirements of whole animal experiments, enabling faster iteration and data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and improves yield by using a piezoelectric element and flexible covering to simulate organ dynamics, providing a more convenient and efficient alternative to vacuum systems.

Implementation Method 1

The power module is electrically connected to the organ chip and is used to drive the deformation of the at least one piezoelectric element, and the deformation of the piezoelectric element drives the deformation of the flexible covering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250243440A1Bionic organ device

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 DARWIN PRECISIONS CORP

AI summary

A bionic organ device includes an organ chip and a power module. The organ chip includes a first body, a second body, a porous film, at least one piezoelectric element, and at least one flexible covering. The porous film is disposed between the first body and the second body and forms a flow channel system with the first body and the second body. The flow channel system includes a first passage and a second passage. The piezoelectric element and the flexible covering are disposed on the first body, the second body, or a combination thereof, and the flexible covering is disposed on the piezoelectric element and located in the flow channel system. The power module is electrically connected to the organ chip and is used to drive the deformation of the piezoelectric element, and the deformation of the piezoelectric element drives the deformation of the flexible covering.