Live Cell Nanopattern Transfer Under Physiological Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating nanomaterials onto living cells and soft biological materials face challenges due to high spatial resolution and yield limitations, often requiring harsh conditions like organic solvents, high pressure, or high temperatures that are unfavorable for living systems.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid nanotransfer printing (nTP) process that bonds lithographically-defined micro-and nanopatterns to live cells and tissues under physiological conditions, involving functionalization, casting with a hydrogel, and chemical conjugation to facilitate transfer without using organic solvents, high pressure, or high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional lithography-based techniques are used to create nanobio interfaces, then high spatial resolution can be achieved, but the methods are limited by cytotoxic effects and two-dimensional nature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidcytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hydrogel intermediary layer that enables the transfer of lithographically-defined nanopatterns to living cells. The hydrogel serves as a biocompatible mediator that maintains the high spatial resolution of the nanopatterns while eliminating the cytotoxic effects of conventional direct lithography on living cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and chemical harshness of conventional lithography with a softer, more biocompatible hydrogel-based transfer system. This substitution allows nanopattern integration without the damaging mechanical stress and chemical cytotoxicity associated with traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If nanotransfer printing is used to print large-area arrays of nanopatterns on flexible substrates, then high throughput is achieved, but organic solvents, high pressure, or high temperatures are required which are unfavorable for living systems

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidharsh conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the process parameters from harsh conditions (organic solvents, high pressure, high temperatures) to physiological conditions (aqueous environment, ambient pressure, body temperature). This parameter transformation enables high-throughput nanopattern printing on living cells while eliminating harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite system combining lithographically-defined nanopatterns with a hydrogel matrix. This composite approach allows the integration of high-resolution patterns with biocompatible materials, achieving both high throughput and compatibility with living systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If biocompatible techniques such as depositing force-mediating nanoparticles or 3D bioprinting are used, then living cells can be processed, but limited throughput and resolution are achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidspatial resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of conventional lithography (high resolution) with the advantages of biocompatible techniques (living cell compatibility). By combining lithographically-defined nanopatterns with hydrogel-based transfer, the system achieves both high spatial resolution and biocompatibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the process into distinct functional stages: lithography for pattern definition, hydrogel casting for biocompatible transfer, and chemical conjugation for cellular integration. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, achieving both high resolution and biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 high spatial resolution and yield integration of nanopatterns onto living cells and tissues while maintaining viability, offering a versatile strategy for seamless integration of patterns and arrays with live cells and tissues.

Implementation Method 1

casting the functionalized nanopattern material with at least one casting material to effectuate delamination of the nanopattern material from the second substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel swelling:

Implementation Method 2

dissociating of the at least one casting material with a dissociation composition to yield the article comprising the nanopattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissociation:

Implementation Method 3

chemically conjugating the nanopattern material with at least one conjugation compound to assist transfer of the nanopattern material onto the article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical conjugation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250362592A1Live cell tattoos

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A hybrid micro and nanotransfer printing process that can bond lithographically-defined nanopatterns to live cells, tissue, organs, or microorganisms under physiological conditions is described. Advantageously, the process is flexible, the nanopatterns and the live cells maintain structural integrity, the nanopatterns are compatible with cell culture media, and the nanopatterns display appropriate adhesion to the live cells and other living entities.