Microfluidic Device for Controlled Shear Stress in Nanofat Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating nanofat in fat grafting procedures lack control over hydrodynamic shear forces, leading to user-dependent variability and potential adverse effects on cell viability and transformation.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with serially arranged stages of microfluidic channels featuring expansion and constriction patterns is used to apply controlled fluid shear forces to lipoaspirate samples, enhancing the reproducibility and reliability of shear stress application, and an optional filter module can be integrated for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual syringe homogenization is used to generate nanofat, then the process is simple and can be performed without specialized equipment, but the hydrodynamic shear forces are poor controlled and user-dependent variability is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical syringe homogenization with a microfluidic device that uses controlled fluid dynamics to generate shear forces. The microfluidic channels are designed with specific geometric features (constrictions, expansions, and serpentine patterns) that create controlled hydrodynamic shear forces on cells, eliminating user-dependent variability while maintaining the mechanical action needed for nanofat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters controlling shear force generation from manual syringe operation to controlled microfluidic flow parameters. By adjusting flow rate, channel dimensions, and microfluidic circuit design, the shear forces are precisely controlled and reproducible, transforming a qualitative manual process into a quantifiable controlled process.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual syringe homogenization is used, then no specialized equipment is needed, but cell viability is adversely affected due to uncontrolled shear forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces uncontrolled manual mechanical homogenization with a controlled microfluidic system that applies gentle, distributed shear forces through carefully designed channel geometries. This substitution maintains the necessary mechanical processing for nanofat generation while protecting cell viability through controlled hydrodynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device acts as an intermediary between the input lipoaspirate and the final nanofat product. It provides a controlled environment where shear forces are applied uniformly and reproducibly, mediating the transformation process to ensure both effective homogenization and cell viability maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual nanofat generation is performed, then the process is flexible and adaptable, but reproducibility and reliability are compromised due to user-dependent variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces variable manual operation with a standardized microfluidic system where the geometry and flow characteristics are precisely controlled. This ensures that every sample processed through the device receives identical shear force treatment, achieving high reproducibility while the device itself remains adaptable to different input materials and processing requirements.
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 microfluidic device enables consistent and well-defined mechanical stress processing, leading to enhanced activation and enrichment of stem cell populations, improving fat grafting procedures and allowing for a single platform for SVF harvesting and administration.
Implementation Method 1
running live cells (obtained from lipoaspirate) through a microfluidic device having a series of microfluidic channels that include repeating expansion/constriction patterns to induce fluid shear forces on the cells
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processing a lipoaspirate sample includes mechanically processing the lipoaspirate sample to generate nanofat. The nanofat is then input into a microfluidic device comprising a plurality of serially arranged stages comprising one or more microfluidic channels having a plurality of expansion and constriction regions extending along the length of the one or more microfluidic channels, wherein each subsequent stage of the plurality has an increasing number of microfluidic channels of decreasing dimensions. The nanofat is flowed through the plurality of serially arranged stages in a plurality of cycles to generate sheared nanofat. The sheared nanofat is then collected after flowing through the plurality of serially arranged stages. The sheared nanofat may then be injected and/or applied to the subject. In an alternative embodiment, filtered or mechanically processed lipoaspirate may be run through the microfluidic device.