Cell Structure Production Using Macromolecular Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing cell structures are time-consuming and limited in size, making it difficult to achieve larger structures within a short period for various regenerative medicine applications.

Innovation Solution

A cell structure is produced using a combination of a first cell that requires a long time to form a structure and a second cell with strong adhesive properties, along with biocompatible macromolecular blocks arranged between cells, allowing for rapid formation of larger structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to produce cell structures, then cell structure formation is achieved, but the production time is excessively long and the maximum size is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell structure formation speedVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming macromolecular blocks before cell culture. These blocks are prepared in advance with controlled size and shape, and then cells are cultured on them. This preliminary preparation of the structural framework enables faster overall cell structure formation compared to letting cells self-organize from scratch, directly addressing the time constraint contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cell structure formation process into distinct components: pre-formed macromolecular blocks and cultured cells. By dividing the structure into these separable elements that can be independently prepared and then assembled, the method achieves faster production than attempting to form the complete structure through cell self-organization alone, thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If conventional methods are used to produce cell structures, then cell structures are formed, but the achievable size is limited and cannot reach predetermined large sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell structure sizeVSAvoidformation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action to create macromolecular blocks of predetermined large sizes before cell culture. These blocks serve as pre-formed scaffolds that can achieve volumes and dimensions unattainable through conventional cell self-organization methods. The preliminary structuring enables large-scale cell structures to be formed without proportionally increasing the time required, thus resolving the contradiction between size and formation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The macromolecular blocks function as intermediaries between the cell culture process and the final large-scale cell structure. These pre-formed blocks provide a structural foundation that mediates the transformation from small cell aggregates to large cell structures, enabling size expansion while maintaining formation efficiency. The intermediary blocks bridge the gap between conventional limitations and desired large-scale outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If only one type of cell is used, then the cell structure formation process is simple, but the time required is long and the structure size is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell culture system complexityVSAvoidcell structure production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell system into multiple cell types cultured on macromolecular blocks, where each cell type can be optimized for specific functions. This segmentation allows parallel optimization of different cell populations, improving overall production efficiency without creating an intractably complex system. The modular approach manages complexity while enhancing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The macromolecular blocks serve as a universal platform that can support multiple different cell types simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the same structural framework to accommodate various cell types, enabling complex multi-cell structures to be built using a standardized approach rather than requiring entirely separate systems for each cell type, thus improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3320925B1Cell structure and method for producing cell structure
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3320925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3320925B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3320925B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a cell structure which can be produced within a short period of time and has a predetermined or larger size, and a method for producing the above-described cell structure. According to the present invention, there is provided a cell structure including: a biocompatible macromolecular block; and two or more kinds of cells, in which a plurality of the biocompatible macromolecular blocks are arranged in gaps between a plurality of the cells, and in which the two or more kinds of cells contain at least one kind of first cell selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial cells, cardiac muscle cells, pancreatic islet cells, liver cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, nerve cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, corneal epithelial cells, and retinal pigment epithelial cells, and at least one kind of second cell selected from the group consisting of mesenchymal cells, stromal cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, myoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, and umbilical cord-derived stem cells.