Microfabricated Skin Sensitization Detection Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting skin sensitization, such as animal testing and traditional assays, are inefficient, costly, and raise animal welfare concerns, necessitating the development of alternative technologies for evaluating the skin-sensitizing potential of chemicals in a high-throughput and animal-free manner.

Innovation Solution

A microfabricated device with a chamber that allows for the co-culture of antigen-presenting cells and skin tissue, enabling the topical application of chemicals to induce T-cell activation, which is measured through markers like CD25, CD125, CD134, CD69, CD62L, CD44, CD45, and CD95, facilitating high-throughput evaluation of skin sensitization potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional animal testing methods are used for skin sensitization detection, then reliability of results is improved, but productivity is worsened and animal welfare is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensitization detectionVSAvoidthroughput of testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an in vitro model that copies the in vivo skin sensitization response by culturing human skin equivalents with Langerhans cells and T cells. This cellular model replicates the biological processes of skin sensitization without using animals, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling high-throughput testing of multiple chemicals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/biological system of animal testing with an in vitro cellular system. By substituting animal subjects with cultured human skin cells, Langerhans cells, and T cells in controlled environments, the system achieves both high throughput and reliability through standardized, repeatable experimental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional animal testing methods are used for skin sensitization detection, then reliability of results is improved, but loss of time is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensitization detectionVSAvoidtime required for testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares skin equivalents, Langerhans cells, and T cells in advance through pre-culturing processes. These pre-prepared cellular components can be rapidly assembled and tested with multiple chemicals simultaneously, significantly reducing the time required for each individual test while maintaining the reliability of sensitization detection through consistent cellular responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If traditional animal testing methods are used for skin sensitization detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of sensitization measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of testing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the skin sensitization system into distinct functional segments: skin equivalents for chemical exposure, Langerhans cells for antigen presentation, and T cells for immune response measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and controlled independently, improving measurement precision while the modular nature reduces overall system complexity through standardized interfaces between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If in vitro methods are used to replace animal testing, then productivity is improved and animal welfare is improved, but reliability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput of testingVSAvoidreliability of sensitization detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters of the in vitro system including cell densities, culture conditions, chemical concentrations, and incubation times to replicate in vivo responses. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high throughput testing while maintaining reliability through consistent, reproducible sensitization responses that correlate with actual skin sensitization events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10209241B2High throughput sensitization detection devices and methods

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV

AI summary

This invention discloses devices and methods for high throughput skin sensitization detection. The devices comprise a microfabricated chamber comprising a region having one or more input channels and an outlet, and a face suitable for mounting a skin tissue and in fluidic communication with the region. The devices can be used in the methods for determining a prognosis of sensitization in an animal subject and identifying compounds that do not cause sensitization and thus are suitable for preparing cosmetic compositions.