Cell Sheet Culture Holder for Contamination-Free Hydrogel Embedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for culturing and embedding biological samples, such as RPE cell sheets, require expensive equipment, skilled labor, and are prone to contamination, leading to inefficiencies and waste.

Innovation Solution

A medical device comprising a base part with an opening and a holder for a culture dish, allowing continuous culturing and embedding of biological samples using a spacer and holder system that facilitates easy handling and reduces contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional independent equipment is used for culturing and embedding biological samples, then the quality of cell sheets can be maintained, but the process becomes complex, expensive, and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of cell sheetsVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the culturing and embedding processes into a single integrated device. The base part contains both a culturing chamber for growing biological samples and an embedding chamber for incorporating them into hydrogel, eliminating the need for separate equipment and reducing process complexity while maintaining cell sheet quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions within a single system: culturing biological samples, embedding them in hydrogel, and facilitating their removal. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity and operational time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional independent equipment is used for culturing and embedding biological samples, then proper embedding can be achieved, but skilled labor is required and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembedding precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional chambers (culturing chamber and embedding chamber) separated by a partition wall with an opening. This segmentation allows each process to occur in a controlled environment while maintaining ease of operation through a unified device structure that guides the user through the process steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall with its opening acts as an intermediary structure between the culturing and embedding chambers. It allows controlled transfer of biological samples from the culturing chamber to the embedding chamber, ensuring proper embedding precision while simplifying the operation through automatic positioning and alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional methods are used for culturing and embedding biological samples, then the processes can be performed, but time is lost and biological samples are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated device enables continuous processing where biological samples are cultured in the first chamber and then directly embedded in the second chamber without removal or interruption. This continuous action eliminates idle time between processes and prevents sample waste, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If conventional independent equipment is used for culturing and embedding biological samples, then each process can be optimized, but the overall process becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the culturing and embedding processes into a single device, the patent reduces the total number of equipment units needed, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability of each individual process through dedicated optimized chambers within the integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient preparation of hydrogel-embedded cell sheets without specialized equipment or skilled labor, minimizing waste and ensuring contamination-free processes.

Implementation Method 1

embedding the biological sample in an embedding material... embedded in a hydrogel such as gelatin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS12584122B2Medical device for culturing biological sample and embedding biological sample in embedding material, kit, and culturing and embedding method

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

A medical device that includes: a base part that has an opening part; and a holder that holds the base part on a culture plate. The base part also has a channel that is in fluid communication with the opening part. Biological samples are cultured and embedded in an embedding material at the opening part.