Dielectric-Body DEP Separation for Cryopreserved Cell Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cryopreservation of biological cells, particularly organoids, cause significant stress and damage due to uncontrolled nucleation, permeability changes, and the need for rapid characterization and separation post-thawing is unmet, with current techniques being qualitative and insufficient for precise quality assessment.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using dielectric bodies with specific dielectric properties and alternating electric fields to manipulate and characterize cells, shifting DEP spectra to differentiate viable and damaged cells by levitation height, allowing for rapid and precise characterization and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If qualitative methods are used to assess freezing damage, then the assessment process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient to differentiate between viable and damaged cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical extraction and analysis systems with dielectrophoretic manipulation. By using electric fields to manipulate cells based on their dielectric properties, the system achieves precise characterization without requiring physical cell extraction or complex mechanical separation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from qualitative visual assessment to quantitative dielectrophoretic response measurement. By measuring how cells respond to alternating electric fields at different frequencies, the system precisely characterizes cell viability and damage state through electrical parameter changes rather than simple qualitative observation.
2Reliability
If conventional cryopreservation methods are used, then the process is simple to implement, but the cells suffer significant stress and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dielectrophoretic manipulation before and during the freezing process to pre-position cells in optimal orientations and maintain controlled separation. This preliminary action prevents cell clumping and ensures uniform freezing, reducing mechanical stress and improving survival rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time dielectrophoretic response measurement to monitor cell state during cryopreservation. By measuring changes in dielectric properties as cells freeze and thaw, the system provides feedback that allows adjustment of freezing rates and conditions to minimize stress and maximize survival.
3Productivity
If rapid characterization and separation of cells post-thawing is implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional device that performs characterization, separation, and sorting of cells using a single dielectrophoretic platform. By adjusting electric field frequency and intensity, the same device can characterize cell viability, separate viable from damaged cells, and sort cells by type, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dielectric bodies as intermediaries that enhance the dielectrophoretic effect. These bodies amplify the separation force between viable and damaged cells, enabling rapid and efficient separation without requiring complex mechanical separation systems or multiple processing steps.
4Measurement precision
If dielectric bodies with specific properties are used to shift DEP spectra, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dielectric bodies with locally optimized properties at specific positions within the electric field. By tailoring the dielectric properties of bodies at different locations, the system creates localized enhancements in the DEP spectrum that improve viability differentiation precision without requiring all parts of the device to be complex.
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 rapid and precise characterization and separation of cryopreserved cells by adjusting DEP spectra to distinguish viability and damage, reducing stress and improving survival rates through controlled electric field manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
the dielectric body exhibits a weaker negative dielectrophoretic force in an alternating electric field with a first alternating frequency than in an alternating electric field with a second alternating frequency that is higher than the first alternating frequency
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for characterizing, separating, multiplying and/or cryopreserving at least one biological cell, comprising at least one assembly of the at least one biological cell and at least one dielectric body, wherein the dielectric body exhibits a weaker negative dielectrophoretic force in an alternating electric field with a first alternating frequency than in an alternating electric field with a second alternating frequency that is higher than the first alternating frequency, and exhibits a stronger negative dielectrophoretic force at least in the alternating electric field with the second alternating frequency than an absolute value of a dielectrophoretic force of a single biological cell in the alternating electric field with the second alternating frequency.