Non-contact Cell Stimulation via Induced Eddy Currents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for electrical stimulation of cells in liquid culture media require electrodes to be immersed, leading to ionization, electrolysis of water, and instability in the culture environment, making it difficult to maintain aseptic conditions and stable cell culture.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a magnetic core and excitation coil to generate a varying magnetic flux, inducing an eddy current and electric field in the liquid culture medium without direct electrode contact, allowing for localized and controlled electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are immersed in the liquid culture medium to apply electrical stimulation, then electrical stimulation can be applied to cells, but the chemical environment becomes unstable due to ionization and electrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact coupling mechanism (electromagnetic field or acoustic field) as an intermediary to transfer electrical stimulation energy to the culture medium without direct electrode contact. This mediator eliminates the harmful ionization and electrolysis effects while still enabling effective electrical stimulation of cells, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving stimulation and maintaining environmental stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact-based electrode system with a non-contact electromagnetic or acoustic field-based system. This substitution eliminates the direct electrical contact that causes ionization and electrolysis, thereby maintaining the chemical stability of the culture medium while still enabling effective cell stimulation.
2Reliability
If electrodes are immersed in the liquid culture medium, then electrical stimulation can be applied, but maintaining aseptic conditions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrodes from direct contact with the culture medium, placing them outside the sterile environment. The stimulation energy is transmitted through the medium via electromagnetic or acoustic fields without physical penetration. This extraction eliminates the need for repeated sterilization of electrodes while maintaining aseptic conditions, resolving the contradiction between sterility and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic fields or acoustic waves as intermediaries to transmit stimulation energy across the culture medium boundary. This intermediary approach allows electrodes to remain outside the sterile zone while still delivering effective stimulation, eliminating the need for frequent sterilization and maintaining aseptic conditions simultaneously.
3Productivity
If electrodes are immersed in the liquid culture medium, then electrical stimulation can be applied, but frequent maintenance is required to adjust chemical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts electrodes from the culture medium environment, eliminating the source of chemical contamination (ionization and electrolysis). This extraction prevents the need for frequent chemical environment adjustments and maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance time and improving research efficiency without compromising stimulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the contact-based electrical stimulation system with a non-contact field-based system, eliminating the harmful interactions between electrodes and culture medium chemistry. This substitution prevents chemical degradation and environmental instability, reducing maintenance requirements and freeing up research time, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and time loss.
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
This approach maintains a stable chemical environment, reduces the need for frequent maintenance, and provides a clean and efficient method for electrical stimulation, enhancing the reliability of cell culture studies.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation coil 5 wound around the magnetic core 1; and a coil power supply 8 for supplying a varying current to the excitation coil 5
Implementation Method 2
inducing an eddy current and electric field in the liquid culture medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to cells in a liquid culture medium without using electrodes immersed in the liquid culture medium. This apparatus is an electrical stimulation apparatus A for electrically stimulating cells in a liquid culture medium (2). A liquid culture medium vessel (3) includes: a ring-shaped recess (7) for holding the liquid culture medium (2); and a through hole (6) formed within the ring-shaped recess (7). A magnetic core (1) is made of a magnetic material and disposed such that a portion thereof is inserted through the through hole (6) of the liquid culture medium vessel (3). An excitation coil (5) is wound around the magnetic core (1). A coil power supply (8) supplies a varying current to the excitation coil (5).