Bioreactor Crossbar Scaffold Securing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioreactor designs are not capable of consistently reseeding cells on both sides of a scaffold, which is necessary for effective muscle regeneration in volumetric muscle loss (VML) treatments.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system with a removable crossbar-bars construct that secures the scaffold in place, allowing for multiple iterations of cell seeding on both sides of the scaffold, and a separate reseeding chamber or integrated bioreactor chamber for efficient reseeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cells are seeded onto a scaffold in traditional bioreactor designs, then the scaffold can be subjected to mechanical loading, but the scaffold cannot be consistently reseeded on both sides
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for initial cell seeding and a second chamber for reseeding. The scaffold is segmented in time, being processed in one chamber first, then transferred to the other chamber for subsequent seeding operations. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function while enabling the overall system to achieve consistent reseeding capability on both sides of the scaffold.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism serves as an intermediary between the two chambers, facilitating the movement of the scaffold from the first chamber to the second chamber. This intermediary system enables the scaffold to be accessed from both sides sequentially without requiring complex simultaneous access mechanisms, thus achieving reseeding capability while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple cell seeding steps are performed to produce differentiated myogenic phenotypes, then functional recovery improves, but the time and complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system enables continuous useful action by allowing the scaffold to undergo multiple seeding steps without interruption. The scaffold remains in the system throughout the process, being transferred between chambers for sequential seeding operations, eliminating the need for complete removal and re-setup between seeding steps. This continuity maintains the differentiated myogenic phenotype development while reducing overall process time compared to traditional methods.
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 system enables preconditioning of tissue engineered muscle repair (TEMR) constructs under cyclical mechanical stretch, allowing for improved muscle regeneration and functional recovery in VML injuries.
Implementation Method 1
Cyclic mechanical strain affects proliferation, gene expression, and synthesis of matrix proteins, and other cellular activities of tissues. The construct involves muscle-derived cells seeded onto a bladder acellularized scaffold (BAM), which is then preconditioned in a bioreactor under cyclical mechanical loading to produce a myogenic cellular phenotype
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated bioreactor and reseeding chamber system and a separate bioreactor and complimentary reseeding chamber system comprising a bioreactor and a separate reseeding chamber. The bioreactor comprises a bioreactor chamber; a first groove attached to the bioreactor chamber; a second groove removably attached to the bioreactor chamber. A first bar and a second bar may be removably inserted into the first groove and the second groove respectively. Each of the first bar and the second bar may have at least an oval hole. At least a crossbar is attached substantially perpendicularly to the first bar and the second bar to form a crossbar-bars construct through the oval holes. A knob may be installed on each of the crossbars. The reseeding chamber may comprise dividers fixedly attached to a bottom of the reseeding chamber.