Dynamic Scaffold for Structured Meat Cell Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scaffold technologies face challenges in achieving bulk infiltration of cells and uniform distribution within scaffolds, leading to limited nutrient and oxygen diffusion, which hinders the formation of structured meat products, especially for 'whole-cut' meat production.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic scaffold system that allows for initial seeding in a thin scaffold, followed by expansion through compression or stretching to increase surface area and cell density, combined with controlled mechanical, electrical, or chemical stimuli to induce cell differentiation, ensuring uniform cell distribution and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cells are seeded within scaffolds under static conditions, then cells adhere to the scaffold, but cells do not infiltrate the bulk of the material and are limited to the outer edges
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change its physical state. The scaffold transitions between a first state (suitable for seeding) and a second state (expanded configuration) to enable bulk infiltration of cells throughout the material, resolving the contradiction between initial cell adhesion and subsequent bulk penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the scaffold are changed during the culturing process. The scaffold's configuration is modified from a compact first state to an expanded second state, altering porosity, surface area, and structural characteristics to facilitate cell migration and distribution throughout the bulk material.
2Volume of moving object
If scaffold size is increased to produce whole-cut meat products, then target tissue structure can be achieved, but nutrient and oxygen diffusion limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold dynamically adjusts its configuration to optimize diffusion pathways. By transitioning between compact and expanded states, the scaffold maintains favorable surface-area-to-volume ratios and porosity characteristics that enable adequate nutrient and oxygen diffusion even at larger scales required for whole-cut meat production.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold structure is organized into segmented or modular units that facilitate diffusion. The expanded configuration creates a more open, distributed architecture that breaks down diffusion barriers and enables efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen throughout the entire scaffold volume.
3Quantity of substance
If cells are seeded densely to achieve high cell density, then proliferation capacity increases, but cell alignment and tissue structure formation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold's dynamic transformation from a compact seeding state to an expanded growth state creates mechanical cues that guide cell alignment. The expansion process applies controlled forces and creates structural patterns that direct cell orientation while maintaining high cell density, resolving the contradiction between density and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Cells are initially seeded in a compact configuration where high density can be achieved, then the scaffold is expanded to induce alignment. The preliminary seeding at high density is followed by a transformation that organizes the cells into aligned structures, achieving both high cell density and proper tissue architecture.
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 dynamic scaffold system enhances cell distribution and alignment, enabling extended proliferation and increased myogenic differentiation, resulting in more effective production of structured meat products with improved tissue structure and nutritional profile.
Implementation Method 1
the scaffold sheet is allowed to equilibrate to a new state corresponding to the changed swelling pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor includes a scaffold, a scaffold support, and a manifold. The scaffold is seeded with a plurality of cells. The scaffold has an extended state and a non-extended state. The scaffold support that selectively modifies a state of the scaffold from the non-extended state to the extended state. A manifold is configured to provide a medium to the scaffold. The state of the scaffold from the non-extended state to the extended state is modified at a rate tuned to maintain a cell density associated with the plurality of cells within a particular density range.