Hybrid Linear Actuator Hydraulic Cell Stretching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell flexing devices are limited in their ability to mimic the cyclic stretching of cells in vitro, leading to distinct biochemical responses to pharmaceuticals and environmental stimuli, and lack the precision and scalability for high-throughput screening.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic cell flexing device with a flexible silicon membrane capable of cyclic stretching up to 250 cycles per minute, featuring a captive hybrid linear actuator drive for precise strain application, user-controlled membrane displacement, and scalability from single to multiple wells, allowing for differential flexing regimens across multiple groups of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cells are grown in a static state in vitro, then the cell culture system is simple and easy to maintain, but the cells respond to pharmaceuticals and environmental stimuli in a distinct biochemical manner that does not reflect in vivo conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static cell culture system into a dynamic one that mimics in vivo cyclic stretching conditions. The flexible membrane substrate allows cyclic deformation to be applied to the cells, making the culture system dynamic while maintaining biochemical relevance. This resolves the contradiction by enabling cells to respond to mechanical stimuli similar to their in vivo environment without requiring an overly complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through cyclic stretching of the flexible membrane substrate, which subjects the cultured cells to periodic mechanical deformation. This cyclic mechanical stimulation (typically at frequencies matching physiological conditions, e.g., 1 Hz for vascular cells) enables cells to exhibit biochemical responses that reflect their in vivo behavior, thereby improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple culture system.
2Reliability
If a flexible membrane substrate is used to enable cyclic stretching of cells, then the device can mimic in vivo conditions, but the device complexity increases and requires precise control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a flexible membrane substrate that can be cyclically deformed to subject adherent cells to mechanical stretching. This flexible membrane serves as the core component that directly contacts the cells and transmits mechanical stimuli, enabling realistic in vivo mimicry while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane substrate acts as an intermediary between the actuation mechanism and the cultured cells. It translates mechanical actuation into controlled cyclic stretching of the cells, providing precise control over the mechanical stimuli while isolating the cells from the complexity of the actuation system. This intermediary approach enables reliable mimicry of in vivo conditions without requiring direct complex control mechanisms at the cell level.
3Reliability
If high-frequency cyclic stretching is applied to cells (up to 250 cycles per minute), then the physiological relevance is improved, but the energy consumption and mechanical stress on the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic action with adjustable frequencies to subject cells to cyclic stretching at physiologically relevant rates, including high frequencies up to 250 cycles per minute (4.17 Hz) when needed to match specific in vivo conditions. The system allows selection of appropriate frequencies based on the specific cell type and physiological context, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining physiological relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the stretching frequency, amplitude, and waveform to be adjusted based on the specific experimental requirements and cell type. This flexibility enables the system to operate at lower energy-consuming frequencies when high physiological relevance is not critical, while still capable of achieving high frequencies (up to 250 cycles/minute) when needed to match specific in vivo conditions, thus balancing energy consumption with physiological relevance.
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 scalable simulation of in vivo cyclic stretching, facilitating long-term continuous experiments, high-resolution cell studies, and multiplex flexing capabilities, enhancing the biochemical relevance of in vitro cell responses and reducing experimentation time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
captive hybrid linear actuator drive
Implementation Method 2
fluid coupling of the piston to the flexible membranes
Implementation Method 3
flexible silicon membrane capable of cyclic stretching
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic cell stretching device comprising a source of variable pressured hydraulic fluid hydraulically coupled to a flexing chamber. The flexing chamber has at least one cell well. The cell well has a membrane subjected to the variable pressured hydraulic fluid.