Multinucleate Cell Detection for Graft Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating the competence of graft samples for transplantation, particularly sheet-shaped cell cultures, face challenges in consistency and efficiency due to variations in cell 'take' ratio and growth into tissues, with some cells producing more cytokine than others during incubation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for identifying competent graft samples by detecting multinucleating ability through visual observation, imaging, and cytokine production, involving dissociation of cells, incubation, and comparison against preset threshold values, using tools like flow cytometers and image analyzing units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sheet-shaped cell cultures are used for graft transplantation, then regenerative medicine treatment is enabled, but variations in cell take ratio and growth consistency occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft transplantation capabilityVSAvoidcell growth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating the multinucleating ability of cells before transplantation. The method involves dissociating cells from sheet-shaped cultures, incubating them to allow multinucleation to occur, and then detecting the multinucleate cell ratio. This pre-transplantation assessment predicts which graft samples will have high cell take ratios and consistent growth, thereby resolving the contradiction between enabling transplantation and ensuring growth consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If traditional evaluation methods are used for graft competence, then transplantation procedure is simplified, but evaluation accuracy and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransplantation procedure simplicityVSAvoidgraft evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/visual evaluation methods with automated imaging and analysis systems. The method uses image capturing devices to photograph cells after incubation, and image analyzing units to automatically calculate the multinucleate cell ratio. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision and objectivity in graft evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If manual cell evaluation methods are used, then equipment requirements are reduced, but detection precision and objectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment requirementsVSAvoidmultinucleate cell detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of image capturing devices and image analyzing units that mediate between the cells and the evaluator. This intermediary automatically detects and quantifies multinucleate cells, eliminating subjective human judgment while maintaining relatively simple equipment requirements. The system provides objective, precise detection without requiring complex specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9909161B2Method and system for evaluation of grafts

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 TERUMO KK

AI summary

A method and system for evaluating the competence for transplantation of a graft sample containing cells capable of multinucleation are provided. In one form, the method includes determining multinucleating ability as an indicator representing the capacity for multinucleation of the cells capable of multinucleation.