Cell Culture Vessel Stabilizer Device for Turbulence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D cell cultures are susceptible to liquid motion turbulence during transportation, which can disrupt the spheroids and cause heterogeneous spheroid size, leading to potential loss of cell culture integrity.
Innovation Solution
A cell culture vessel equipped with a stabilizer device that includes a support column and a slidingly engaging structure, allowing the stabilizer to move with the liquid level and minimize turbulence within the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 3D cell culture vessel is used to grow spheroids, then the natural cell environment and interactions are improved, but the spheroids become susceptible to turbulence and damage during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilizer device is introduced as an intermediary element within the cell culture vessel. This stabilizer includes a stabilizing member with stabilizing surfaces that restrict liquid motion and reduce turbulence during transportation, thereby protecting the 3D cell culture spheroids from damage while maintaining culture integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer device changes the physical parameters of the liquid environment by restricting liquid motion through its stabilizing surfaces. This reduces the velocity and turbulence of liquid flow during transportation, creating a more stable environment for the spheroids
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stabilizer device is made larger to cover the width and length of the cell culture chamber, then liquid motion restriction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer device is segmented into distinct functional components: a stabilizing member with stabilizing surfaces for restricting liquid motion, and a column engaging structure for vertical movement guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer device incorporates dynamic functionality through the column engaging structure that allows the stabilizing member to move vertically along the support column as liquid level changes during filling operations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the stabilizer to adapt to different liquid levels without requiring a fixed complex structure
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 stabilizer device effectively restricts liquid motion, maintaining the integrity of the 3D cell culture spheroids during transportation and handling, thereby preserving the natural cell environment and culture accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a column engaging structure that is sized to slidingly engage the support column such that the stabilizer device is movable along the support column
Data Source
AI summary
A cell culture vessel includes a vessel body, support columns, and a stabilizer device. The vessel body defines a cell culture chamber enclosed between a bottom wall and a top wall. The support column is within the cell culture chamber and extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. The stabilizer device covers a width and length of the cell culture chamber and has a column engaging structure that is sized to slidingly engage the support column such that the stabilizer device is movable along the support column as a liquid culture medium is received in the cell culture chamber. The support column guides the stabilizer device along a length of the support column as the stabilizer device rises with rising liquid level in the cell culture chamber during a liquid culture medium filling operation.