MEMS Ultrasound Probe Array for Selective Cell Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell stimulation systems face limitations in accurately stimulating cells due to spatial constraints and reduced ultrasound wave intensity, making it difficult to perform experiments efficiently and reliably, especially when cells are at the bottom of containers or in thick-walled tubes.
Innovation Solution
A cell stimulating system utilizing a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) based ultrasound probe array with a matrix structure of ultrasound devices, allowing selective and simultaneous stimulation of cells in cell containers, enabling precise control of ultrasound wave intensity and frequency, and minimizing apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick-walled cell containing tube is used, then mechanical strength is improved, but ultrasound wave transmission intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling medium is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ultrasound transducer and the cell-containing tube. This coupling medium facilitates efficient ultrasound wave transmission by matching acoustic impedances, thereby compensating for the signal loss caused by thick tube walls while maintaining the mechanical strength benefits of robust container design.
2Reliability
If ultrasound transducers are disposed inside cell containing tubes, then cell stimulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ultrasound transducers are merged into a single integrated array structure that can be positioned outside the cell-containing tubes. This unified external array maintains effective cell stimulation capability while reducing overall device complexity and footprint compared to having separate transducers inside each tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasound transducer array is repositioned from an internal configuration (inside tubes) to an external configuration (outside tubes), utilizing the spatial dimension outside the containment vessels. This dimensional relocation enables effective ultrasound transmission through tube walls while avoiding the complexity of internal transducer integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ultrasound transducers are used for selective stimulation, then experimental versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
An electronic switching mechanism is implemented that dynamically activates only the specific ultrasound transducers needed for each experimental condition. This dynamic control enables versatile experimental configurations using a single shared array of transducers, eliminating the need for multiple complete transducer sets while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single ultrasound transducer array is designed to serve multiple experimental functions and configurations. By implementing electronic beam steering and selective activation capabilities, the same physical hardware can perform various stimulation patterns and target different cell positions, replacing the need for multiple dedicated transducer assemblies.
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 efficient and reliable simultaneous stimulation of cells based on multiple parameters, reducing experimental time and cost, while maintaining desired ultrasound wave intensity and improving experimental reliability by using a compact design suitable for incubator use.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator, in an ultrasound probe array type, including a plurality of ultrasound devices disposed in a matrix structure, the oscillator being produced using a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cell stimulating system including an oscillator, in an ultrasound probe array type, including a plurality of ultrasound devices disposed in a matrix structure, the oscillator being produced using a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), a plurality of cell containers configured to each contain a cell that is selectively stimulated by the ultrasound devices, the cell containers being disposed on a top of the oscillator to correspond to each of the ultrasound devices, and a device operator configured to operate an ultrasound device selected from among the ultrasound devices.