Hydrogel Microfiber Assembly for Precise Cell Culture Tubules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved devices and methods to fabricate microtubules and microstrands optimized for cell culture that are easy to use, clean, and transport, particularly for culturing cells like lens, retina, or salivary gland cells or organoids using alginate hydrogel structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a conduit system with reservoirs and adapters to form microfibers and tubular strands by flowing a hydrogel agent through a conduit from a first reservoir to a second reservoir containing a crosslinking agent, utilizing vacuum creation and needle connections to facilitate the formation of microfibers and tubular structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional microfluidic devices are used to fabricate microtubules, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a first syringe for hydrogel agent, a second syringe for crosslinking agent, and an adapter assembly with needles. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision, reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly features nested needle structures where a first needle and second needle are positioned concentrically. The first needle extends from the first syringe through the adapter, while the second needle extends from the second syringe. This nested configuration enables precise co-axial delivery of hydrogel and crosslinking agents without requiring a single complex multi-channel device.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex microfabrication technologies are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly serves multiple functions: it connects two separate syringes, positions needles co-axially, enables simultaneous delivery of multiple agents, and allows for easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functionality in a single component maintains precision while dramatically improving ease of manufacture compared to integrated microfabricated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component that bridges simple, easily manufactured syringes and needles to achieve the functional equivalence of complex microfabricated devices. Rather than attempting to integrate all functions into a single microfabricated component, the adapter mediates between simple components to achieve precise microtubule fabrication.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate devices are used for cell culture fabrication, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the functionality of multiple separate delivery systems into a single integrated assembly. The first syringe, second syringe, and adapter with multiple needles are combined into one operational unit that can be handled as a single device, improving ease of operation while maintaining the functional benefits of multi-agent delivery.
4Ease of operation
If traditional cell culture methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous formation of microtubules with embedded cells by maintaining simultaneous flow of hydrogel agent and crosslinking agent through the needle assembly. This continuous process eliminates the need for separate steps of cell loading, microtubule formation, and crosslinking, thereby increasing productivity while keeping the operation simple and intuitive.
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 method enables user-friendly, cost-effective, and reproducible high-density cell culture with long-term cell culture capabilities, suitable for a wide range of cell types, including stem cells, healthy and diseased cells, and cancer cells, with quick cell release and direct cell storage.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump configured to pull the hydrogel agent from the first reservoir into the second reservoir
Implementation Method 2
Alginate hydrogels can be prepared by various cross-linking methods... Alginate is a naturally occurring anionic polymer... that has been extensively investigated and used for many biomedical applications, due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity, relatively low cost, and mild gelation by addition of divalent cations such as Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Zn2+ and others
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for forming microfibers, and organoids useful in cell-culture. In embodiments, a method of forming one or more microfibers, includes: flowing a hydrogel agent through a conduit from a first reservoir to a second reservoir including a crosslinking agent under conditions suitable for forming one or more microfibers within the second reservoir, wherein flowing includes pulling the hydrogel agent into the second reservoir through the conduit, wherein the first reservoir, the conduit, and the second reservoir are in fluid communication. In embodiments, the conduit includes one or more needles in fluid communication with the second reservoir.