Laser Cell Culture Tool Patterning via Photothermal Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cell culture processing methods require complex facilities for photolithography, making it difficult to control the shape of cells in a cell culture tool with a simple structure.

Innovation Solution

A processing apparatus with a laser irradiation unit and control unit that applies laser to a photothermal conversion layer in a cell culture tool, allowing precise control of cell adhesion regions by setting and controlling the laser irradiation region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If photolithography is used to process the cell culture tool, then the cell culture tool can be processed to obtain cultured cell mass in a desired shape, but various manufacturing facilities including photomask forming apparatus and exposure apparatus are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape control of cell culture toolVSAvoidmanufacturing facilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of photolithography (pattern formation on cell culture tool) and implements it using only a laser irradiation unit, removing the need for photomask forming apparatus, exposure apparatus, and other complex manufacturing facilities. The laser directly writes the pattern onto the cell culture tool surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and optical complex system of photolithography (photomasks, exposure apparatus) with a simpler laser-based direct writing system. The laser irradiation unit directly patterns the cell culture tool without requiring physical photomasks or complex exposure equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If photolithography is used to process the cell culture tool, then the desired shape can be obtained, but the structure becomes complex with multiple manufacturing facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern accuracy on cell culture toolVSAvoidsimplicity of processing apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the core pattern formation function from the complete photolithography system and implements it using only a laser irradiation unit, eliminating the need for photomask forming apparatus, exposure apparatus, and other complex manufacturing facilities while maintaining pattern accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and optical complex system of photolithography with a simpler laser-based direct writing system. The laser irradiation unit directly patterns the cell culture tool surface, achieving desired shapes without requiring physical photomasks or complex exposure equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a simple processing apparatus is used, then the structure is simplified, but the ability to control cell adhesion regions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing apparatus structureVSAvoidcell adhesion region control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a photothermal conversion layer as an intermediary between the laser irradiation unit and the cell culture base layer. This layer converts laser energy to heat, enabling precise control of cell adhesion regions through thermal effects while keeping the overall apparatus structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls cell adhesion region characteristics by changing the irradiation parameters (laser power, scanning speed, pattern) of the laser irradiation unit. By adjusting these parameters, the photothermal conversion layer generates appropriate heat patterns to control where cells adhere, maintaining manufacturing precision with a simple apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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 effective control of cell adhesion regions in a cell culture tool, simplifying the process and improving the ability to shape cell culture surfaces without the need for elaborate manufacturing facilities.

Implementation Method 1

a laser irradiation unit capable of applying a laser to a photothermal conversion layer of a cell culture tool including a cell culture base layer and the photothermal conversion layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Photoacoustic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230140027A1Cell-culturing instrument-machining device

Publication Date: 2023.05.04 KATAOKA

AI summary

The processing apparatus 200 of the present disclosure includes: a laser irradiation unit 21 capable of applying a laser to the photothermal conversion layer 13 of the cell culture tool 100 including the cell culture base layer 11 and the photothermal conversion layer 13; and a control unit 22 for controlling the laser irradiation unit 21. The control unit 22 includes a setting section 221 and an irradiation control section 222. The setting section 221 sets an irradiation region to be irradiated with the laser in the cell culture tool 100. The irradiation control section 222 controls the laser irradiation unit 21 based on the irradiation region such that the laser irradiation unit 21 applies the laser to a corresponding region of the photothermal conversion layer 13.