Elastic Culture Force Sensing with External Magnetic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force measurement technologies for cell or tissue cultures in bioreactors are not suitable for humid, sterile environments, leading to measurement errors and complexity, and indirect methods like tissue deformation analysis are not precise.
Innovation Solution
A system using an elastic element inside the culture chamber and a magnetic field sensor outside, separated by a wall, measures force through the deflection of the elastic element without direct mechanical coupling, allowing precise force measurement in a biocompatible environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional force sensors or load cells are used to measure forces in cell culture, then force measurement capability is provided, but the electronics are incompatible with humid or wet environment inside the culture chamber
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the force applied to the tissue and the sensor measurement. The magnetic element coupled to the tissue translates mechanical force into magnetic field changes, which can be detected by magnetic field sensors without requiring direct electrical contact with the humid environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional electrical force sensors with a magnetic-based measurement system. Instead of using electrical load cells that fail in humid environments, the system uses magnetic field detection to measure force, substituting electrical sensing with magnetic sensing that is inherently more compatible with wet environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If force sensors are arranged outside the culture chamber with mechanical transfer using levers or rods, then environmental compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases and measurement errors are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical transfer elements like levers and rods by substituting them with a magnetic field-based measurement system. The magnetic element moves with the tissue and directly modulates the magnetic field, removing the need for complex mechanical coupling while maintaining environmental compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that directly couples the tissue movement to the sensor without requiring mechanical linkages. This eliminates the need for levers, rods, or other mechanical transfer mechanisms, simplifying the system while maintaining the ability to measure forces from outside the culture chamber
3Adaptability or versatility
If indirect assessment of force through tissue deformation analysis is used, then environmental compatibility is maintained, but measurement precision is reduced because tissue morphology changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of analyzing tissue deformation directly, the patent creates a magnetic field copy or representation of the force state. The magnetic element tracks tissue position and translates it into magnetic field changes, providing a faithful representation of the force without requiring direct optical analysis of the changing tissue morphology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes optical deformation analysis with magnetic field-based force sensing. Instead of using vision systems to analyze changing tissue morphology, the magnetic element directly transduces mechanical force into magnetic field changes, providing a more stable and accurate measurement that is not affected by tissue morphology changes
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 precise and direct force measurement in a biocompatible and sterile environment, simulating physiological tissue elasticity for improved cell or tissue culture conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element comprises a magnetic element arranged such as to be moved upon deflection of the elastic element. It is also possible that the elastic element itself is a magnetic object
Implementation Method 2
Said magnetic field sensor is adapted to detect a change of magnetic field attributable to a corresponding movement of said magnet element upon deflection of said elastic element
Implementation Method 3
The elastic element is adapted to be coupled with the cell or tissue culture such that a force applied to or generated by said cell or tissue culture leads to a deflection of said elastic element against a restoring force thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies and implementations for a system and method for determining a force applied to a cell or tissue culture is disclosed. The system and method may include an elastic element mounted in or suitable for mounting in a culture chamber. The elastic element may be adapted to be coupled with the cell or the tissue culture such that a force applied to the cell or the tissue culture leads to a deflection of the elastic element against a restoring force. A magnetic field sensor may be mounted outside said culture chamber. The magnetic field sensor may be adapted to detect a change of magnetic field attributable to a corresponding movement of a magnetic element upon deflection.