Bioprinted Tissue Culture Mechanical Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bioprinting muscle tissue face challenges such as adverse effects from thermal or chemical treatments during scaffold fabrication and stagnant growth conditions, which impact the quality and efficiency of tissue culture development.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for physically manipulating bioprinted tissue cultures using a resilient container that applies stress and strain over four degrees of freedom, combined with osmotic and fluid stresses, to enhance differentiation and growth, utilizing a computerized system with a sensor array and inkjet bioprinting module to control the application of bio-inks and scaffolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If thermal or chemical treatments are applied during scaffold fabrication, then scaffold structure is formed, but the efficacy of tissue growth is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal and chemical treatment methods with mechanical manipulation methods. The bioprinted tissue culture is subjected to mechanical stresses and strains through controlled deformation of the container, which shapes the tissue without using thermal or chemical processes that would harm cell viability and tissue growth efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters applied to the tissue culture from thermal/chemical parameters to mechanical parameters. By controlling mechanical stress, strain, and deformation over four degrees of freedom, the tissue is shaped and differentiated without exposing cells to harmful thermal or chemical conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If stagnant growth conditions are maintained, then tissue culture is simplified to cultivate, but the quality of meat produced is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms stagnant (static) growth conditions into dynamic conditions by applying continuous mechanical manipulation. The tissue culture container is deformed in multiple directions over time, creating dynamic mechanical stimuli that enhance tissue quality while maintaining relatively simple cultivation procedures through automated mechanical actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic mechanical manipulation of the tissue culture. The container undergoes repeated cycles of deformation and recovery, applying periodic mechanical stresses that promote tissue differentiation and quality enhancement without requiring complex continuous intervention.
3Productivity
If mechanical manipulation is applied to bioprinted tissue culture, then differentiation and growth are accelerated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional manipulation system that can apply various types of mechanical stresses (tension, compression, shear, torsion) using a single integrated apparatus. The system manipulates the tissue culture container in multiple ways to achieve different mechanical effects, consolidating multiple functions into one device rather than requiring separate systems for each manipulation type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible container or membrane to enclose the bioprinted tissue culture. This flexible shell allows mechanical manipulation to be transmitted effectively to the tissue while maintaining a simple overall system structure. The flexible container deforms in response to applied forces, enabling complex tissue manipulation without requiring complex internal 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
This approach improves the differentiation and growth of tissue cultures, resulting in high-quality, edible biostructures that emulate meat, by promoting alteration in connective tissue and myofibrillar protein networks, and optimizing the physical properties of the extracellular matrix.
Implementation Method 1
affect a predetermined regimen of stress and strain over at least one of four degrees of freedom on the at least one resilient container
Implementation Method 2
using a sensor array, receive physical data characteristic of the tissue culture
Implementation Method 3
exposure to osmotic and fluid stresses
Implementation Method 4
exposure to osmotic and fluid stresses
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods, systems and compositions for physically manipulating a muscle tissue culture either mechanically, or manually, or both. Specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods of physically manipulating, either mechanically or manually, a resilient container of bioprinted tissue culture having non-random three dimensional cell structure by elongation, compression, torque and shear of the tissue culture.