Magnetic Scraper Cell Detachment System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cell detachment systems face challenges in preventing scraper contact with cultured cells, leading to potential damage and contamination, especially when the scraper is not fixed within the culture vessel, causing unintended cell detachment during medium replacement or tilting.

Innovation Solution

A cell detachment system incorporating a magnetically controlled scraper that moves while rotating under no magnetic field and is fixed by a magnetic field for detachment, minimizing contact and friction with cells, while maintaining a closed system for culture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a scraper is installed in a culture vessel to detach cells, then cell detachment can be achieved, but the scraper may come into contact with cultured cells and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell detachment efficiencyVSAvoidphysical damage to cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper is extracted from the culture vessel during the culture phase and stored in a holding portion, separating the detachment tool from the cell culture environment. This prevents unintended contact and damage to cultured cells while maintaining the ability to perform detachment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The scraper's position is dynamically controlled through magnetic field manipulation. The magnetic field can be adjusted to move the scraper between a retracted position (preventing contact during culture) and an active position (enabling detachment), providing dynamic control over scraper-cell interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a scraper is not fixed in a container, then the container remains accessible for medium replacement, but the scraper moves due to water flow or tilting and detaches cells unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium replacement accessibilityVSAvoidunintended cell detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field serves as an intermediary force to control the scraper's position. The magnetic field can be adjusted to hold the scraper in place during medium replacement (preventing unintended movement) and released when detachment is desired, mediating between accessibility and stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field strength parameter is changed to control scraper behavior. During medium replacement, a weak magnetic field allows the scraper to remain stationary and accessible. During detachment, the magnetic field strength is increased to move the scraper to the culture surface for controlled cell removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a magnetic field is applied to control scraper position, then the scraper can be positioned accurately, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescraper position controlVSAvoidmagnetic field control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field system serves multiple functions: it positions the scraper during culture, holds it in place during medium replacement, and drives it for cell detachment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, offsetting the added complexity with operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field system is integrated with the culture vessel structure, allowing the vessel itself to participate in scraper control. The magnetic components are positioned within the vessel, enabling the vessel to serve both its primary culture function and the secondary scraper positioning function, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution effectively reduces physical damage to cells during culture and ensures efficient detachment while maintaining a sterile environment, enhancing the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the cell detachment process.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field applying unit configured to apply a magnetic field to the scraper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a scraper having magnetism, for detaching cells adhering to a culture surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20240417662A1Cell detachment system and cell culture system

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a cell detachment system including: a scraper having magnetism, for detaching cells adhering to a culture surface; a magnetic field applying unit configured to apply a magnetic field to the scraper; and a scraper position control unit configured to control a position of the scraper by controlling the magnetic field applying unit, wherein the scraper is configured to move while rotating under a state in which no magnetic field is applied thereto, and under a state in which a magnetic field is applied thereto by the magnetic field applying unit, to be caused to move, without rotating, by the scraper position control unit so as to detach the adhering cells.