Multilayer Dual-Cell Liver Bio Purifier for Stable Plasma Detoxification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition where the liver stops functioning rapidly, and current treatments like liver transplants face challenges such as donor scarcity and high costs, necessitating an effective extracorporeal solution.

Innovation Solution

An extracorporeal bioengineered dual-cell liver regeneration (EBDLR) system using a multi-layered bio purifier with hepatocytes and endothelial cells to detoxify and regenerate liver functions, maintaining safe blood flow rates and hemodynamic stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liver transplant is performed, then treatment efficacy is improved, but donor availability and accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddonor availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a functional copy of the liver using bioengineered cells arranged in a microfluidic chip that replicates liver lobule architecture. This synthetic liver model performs detoxification functions without requiring a biological donor organ, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and donor availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system - a bioengineered liver chip with hepatocytes and endothelial cells in co-culture - that mediates the detoxification function between the patient's bloodstream and the treatment outcome, eliminating the need for direct liver transplantation while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional single-cell bio purifier is used, then device complexity is reduced, but detoxification efficacy worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddetoxification efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two cell types - hepatocytes and endothelial cells - into a single integrated microfluidic chip system. The endothelial cells line the microchannels while hepatocytes are embedded in the matrix, creating a combined system that performs both detoxification and blood filtration functions simultaneously, thereby improving efficacy without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining living cells (hepatocytes and endothelial cells) with a biocompatible hydrogel matrix and microfluidic channels. This composite construction enables the system to perform multiple physiological functions while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture that can be manufactured and operated with current technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If high blood flow rate is used, then treatment speed is improved, but hemodynamic stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidhemodynamic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic flow control system where the blood flow rate through the bioengineered liver chip is precisely regulated to match physiological conditions. The microfluidic channels are designed with specific dimensions and the pump system maintains flow rates that simulate natural hepatic blood flow, ensuring both efficient detoxification and hemodynamic stability without causing pressure fluctuations or hemolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 EBDLR system effectively detoxifies blood and supports liver regeneration without affecting blood pressure, achieving 100% efficacy in treating acute liver failure in large-animal models, with continuous operation and minimal hemolysis.

Implementation Method 1

Each layer may include a membrane, a first type of cells on a first side of the membrane in a first channel, and a second type of cells on a second side of the membrane in a second channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetabolic activity: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

a plasma separator to receive blood from a subject via a first pump and separate a plasma component from the blood

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS12478723B2Extracorporeal bioengineered dual-cell liver regeneration system (EBDLR) and bio purifier therefor

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 YKRITA LIFESCIENCES PTE LTD

AI summary

An EBDLR system includes a multi-layered bio purifier having a plurality of layers. Each layer includes a membrane, a first type of cells on a first side of the membrane in a first channel, and a second type of cells on a second side of the membrane in a second channel. The EBDLR includes a plasma separator to receive blood from a subject and separate a plasma component from the blood, a first reservoir to collect the plasma component, and a second pump to move the plasma component from the first reservoir to the multi-layered bio purifier. The multi-layered bio purifier distributes the plasma component into the first and second channels of each layer to purify the plasma component. The EBDLR includes a second reservoir to collect the purified plasma component and a third pump to infuse the purified plasma component from the second reservoir into the subject.