Cellulose-Coated Culture Container for CTC Isolation
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) face challenges in achieving standardized testing due to variability in reagent composition, operation procedures, and interpretation processes, leading to inconsistent results and high costs associated with the use of specific biological antibodies.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a cell culture system with a container coated with cellulose and/or its derivatives, where the coated amount is optimized between 3-20 mg/cm2, particularly 12-13 mg/cm2, to selectively adhere white blood cells while suspending cancer cells in the culture medium, eliminating the need for specific antibodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific biological antibodies are used to capture cancer cells, then the detection function is achieved, but the cost increases and the operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex biological antibodies with a simple cellulose coating material that can be easily applied to the culture container surface. This disposable-like approach uses a straightforward coating process rather than requiring complex antibody preparation and application systems, significantly reducing both cost and operational complexity while maintaining cancer cell detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of cell adhesion from antibody-specific binding to cellulose-based selective adhesion. By modifying the surface coating material parameter from biological antibody to cellulose derivative, the system achieves cancer cell isolation through differential adhesion properties, eliminating the need for complex antibody-based detection systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple reagents and automated systems are used, then the detection precision is improved, but the operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex automated processing steps, multiple reagents, and lengthy incubation periods from the detection system. By using simple cellulose coating that provides immediate differential adhesion, the system eliminates the need for multi-step automated processing, reducing operation time from hours to minutes while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The cellulose coating is pre-applied to the culture container surface before sample introduction, creating a ready-to-use isolation surface. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time reagent addition and multi-step processing during detection, allowing direct sample loading and immediate cancer cell isolation, thereby increasing productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized testing is not achieved, then the method is flexible, but the result consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cellulose coating provides a universal, standardized surface that works consistently across different samples and laboratories. This single standardized coating approach replaces variable antibody preparations and complex protocols, ensuring reproducible cancer cell isolation results while maintaining the flexibility to handle different sample types and cancer cell varieties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous cellulose coating material applied uniformly across the culture container surface, eliminating the variability introduced by different antibody batches and preparations. This homogeneous approach ensures consistent adhesion properties and reproducible cancer cell isolation results across multiple experiments and laboratories
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 simplifies the isolation process, reduces costs, and achieves high efficiency in separating cancer cells from blood samples, allowing for effective early diagnosis and screening without the need for expensive antibodies, with over 70% isolation ratio of cancer cells demonstrated in experiments.
Implementation Method 1
cellulose and/or its derivatives coated on the cell adhesion portion... selectively adhere white blood cells while suspending cancer cells in the culture medium
Data Source
AI summary
A method of circulating tumor cells isolation, using an isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells, comprises the following steps: (1) providing a sample; (2) adding a cell culture medium to the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells; (3) adding the sample to the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells to cultivate; and (4) collecting the suspended circulating tumor cells in the cell culture medium; wherein the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells comprises a container including a cell adhesion portion, and cellulose coated on the cell adhesion portion.