Bioreactor System for Islet Viability via Electric and Light Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating type I diabetes, such as stem cell therapies and islet transplants, face challenges with the viability and functionality of isolated islets, which deteriorate quickly in culture and have high cell death rates, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system that includes a fluid chamber, cell culture chambers, electric field generators, light sources, and perfusion pumps to apply electric fields and light simultaneously or sequentially to improve the viability and functionality of isolated islets or β-cells, facilitating their use in treating type I diabetes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If isolated islets are cultured for several days to prepare for transplantation, then they can be processed and transplanted, but they lose their viability and functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating isolated islets with electric fields and light sources before transplantation to enhance their viability and functionality. This pre-treatment prepares the islets in advance, allowing them to maintain their functional properties during culture and upon transplantation, thereby resolving the contradiction between culture time and viability maintenance.
2Reliability
If donor islets are transplanted to treat type I diabetes, then insulin production is achieved, but cell death rate is high limiting treatment potency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using electric fields and light sources to prevent cell death in isolated islets before transplantation. These treatments counteract the harmful effects that would otherwise cause high cell death rates, thereby protecting the islet mass and improving transplant success without requiring additional substances.
3Ease of manufacture
If differentiated or isolated cells are used in stem cell therapies, then insulin secreting cells are produced, but their functionality is impaired compared to mature in vivo cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using electric fields and light sources to modify the functional properties of differentiated or isolated cells. These physical treatments alter cellular parameters such as membrane potential, calcium signaling, and metabolic activity, thereby enhancing the functionality of produced insulin-secreting cells to match or approach that of mature in vivo cells.
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 bioreactor system enhances the viability and insulin secretion of isolated islets, potentially increasing the success rate of islet transplants and providing an alternative to donor islet transplantation by improving β-cell functionality and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric field generator in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of cell culture chambers; wherein the at least one electric field generator is configured to apply an electric field to at least one of the plurality of cell culture chambers
Implementation Method 2
at least one light source in optical communication with the at least one of the plurality of cell culture chambers; wherein the at least one light source is configured to generate light in at least one of the plurality of cell culture chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices for improving viability of isolated islets or β-cells and stimulating insulin production from isolated islets or β-cells and uses thereof for treating type 1 diabetes.