Elastic Membrane for Traumatic Brain Injury Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing BBB-on-chip models are unable to endure mechanical insults mimetic of traumatic brain injuries due to their glass or inelastic membrane components, limiting their ability to investigate the effects of TBI on the blood-brain barrier.
Innovation Solution
The development of elastically deformable components and systems for cellular assays, featuring a porous elastic membrane and anchoring member, allowing for elastic deformation under physiological stress, such as that associated with TBI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If glass or inelastic membrane components are used in BBB-on-chip models, then structural stability and manufacturing precision are improved, but the ability to endure mechanical insults mimetic of traumatic brain injuries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid glass and inelastic membrane components with flexible PDMS membranes and elastomeric components. The PDMS membrane (5-20 μm thick) and elastomeric anchoring members enable the device to undergo elastic deformation during mechanical insults such as traumatic brain injury simulations, while maintaining structural integrity and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from rigid (glass) and inelastic (traditional membranes) to elastic (PDMS with elastic modulus 100-1000 kPa). This parameter change allows the BBB-on-chip model to dynamically respond to mechanical stresses, enabling reliable simulation of TBI effects on the blood-brain barrier while maintaining compositional stability through the elastomeric nature of the materials.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid glass layers are used in BBB-on-chip configurations, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but adaptability to physiological stress conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible PDMS membranes instead of rigid glass layers, allowing the BBB-on-chip model to adapt to physiological stress conditions such as blood flow shear stress and traumatic brain injury mechanical insults. The flexible nature enables dynamic deformation while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized elastomeric component fabrication.
3Ease of manufacture
If inelastic membranes are used to separate compartments, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to simulate dynamic TBI conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inelastic membranes with flexible PDMS membranes that maintain ease of manufacture through elastomeric molding techniques while enabling dynamic simulation of TBI conditions. The elastomeric components can be fabricated using standard soft lithography and molding processes, preserving manufacturing simplicity while adding dynamic mechanical responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capability by using elastic PDMS membranes and elastomeric anchoring members that can deform in response to applied mechanical stresses. This allows the BBB-on-chip model to simulate dynamic TBI conditions, including acute mechanical insults and repetitive mild TBIs, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through elastomeric material processing.
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
These systems enable the simulation of TBI on BBB models, allowing for the investigation of BBB disruption and potential repair mechanisms, providing a more physiologically relevant platform for studying TBI effects.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane, the elastic membrane comprising a plurality of pores therethrough and configured to separate the luminal compartment from the abluminal compartment; and an anchoring member mechanically coupled to each of the elastic membrane, the luminal compartment, and the abluminal compartment where each of elastic membrane, the first compartment, and the second compartment are capable of elastic deformation when the physiological stress is applied to the anchoring member
Implementation Method 2
an elastic membrane, the elastic membrane comprising a plurality of pores therethrough and configured to separate the luminal compartment from the abluminal compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides elastic assemblies used to model tissues or organs of interest. In one embodiment, detailed herein, the assemblies are designed to model the blood brain barrier following a traumatic brain injury. The present invention also provides elastic membranes on which the assemblies are built, kits from which the assemblies may be prepared, and systems that expand upon the assemblies, forming more physiologically relevant models. Methods for making and using the disclosed devices are also provided.