Gas-Permeable Membrane for Tissue Culturing Oxygen Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current preclinical models for testing antitumor medicaments fail to accurately reflect the complex nature of human solid tumors due to limited culturing time, as they cannot maintain physiological oxygen levels and cellular microenvironment, leading to unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
A device with a frame and liquid-absorbing strip elements that allows for optimal oxygen supply and constant perfusion of tissue sections, maintaining physiological conditions and enabling longer-term culturing of tumor tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional culturing techniques are used, then the culturing process is simple, but the culturing time is very limited and tumor cells die after a few days
Solution Approach 1:
A gas-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the culture medium and the tissue section. This membrane allows oxygen and other gases to diffuse through while maintaining a liquid barrier, enabling physiological oxygen supply to the tissue section and extending culturing time from a few days to several weeks while maintaining tissue viability and model reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses gas diffusion through the gas-permeable membrane to supply oxygen to the tissue section. The culture medium is positioned on one side of the membrane while the tissue section contacts the membrane from the other side, creating a pneumatic-hydraulic system where gases pass through the membrane and liquids are retained, enabling long-term culturing with physiological oxygen levels
2Ease of operation
If tumor tissue is removed for culturing, then in vitro testing is enabled, but the blood supply is completely cut off and oxygen supply becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A gas-permeable membrane with porous structure is used to supply oxygen to the cultured tissue section. The membrane allows oxygen molecules to pass through while maintaining a liquid barrier, compensating for the loss of blood supply and providing sufficient oxygen to maintain tissue viability during extended culturing periods
3Manufacturing precision
If tissue sections are cultured ex vivo, then native tissue structure is preserved, but the cellular microenvironment cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the culturing system by introducing a gas-permeable membrane and positioning the tissue section in direct contact with it. This parameter change allows oxygen to diffuse through the membrane at physiological levels, maintaining the cellular microenvironment including stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and vascular structures for extended periods while preserving native tissue architecture
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 device ensures reliable and reproducible testing of medicaments by maintaining native tissue characteristics and oxygen levels, allowing for precise assessment of medicament sensitivity and resistance.
Implementation Method 1
Gas-permeable membrane, through which oxygen and/or other gases can pass
Implementation Method 2
liquid barrier, which prevents liquid from passing through
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cultivating tissue sections, in particular for testing active ingredients and/or medications, includes a frame, at least one carrier component designed to hold a tissue section, and at least one liquid-absorbing strip element. The frame is designed to hold the at least one carrier component and the at least one strip element. A cultivation system includes the device for cultivating tissue sections and a holding vessel. The device can be used for testing active ingredients or medications on a tissue (section).