Orifice Cross-Section Design for Cell Processing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell processing methods, such as those described in Japanese Patent No. 5645657, face inefficiencies in gene introduction and other cell processing tasks like membrane perforation and substance introduction, necessitating improved techniques for enhancing processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cell processing method and apparatus that utilize an orifice with specific cross-sectional area changes, either narrowing or expanding, to manage flow velocity and shear stress, facilitating efficient cell processing by passing a liquid containing cells through an orifice with a pressure applying unit, thereby optimizing the introduction of target substances like genes or proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional orifice is used for cell processing, then the structure is simple, but the cell processing efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is designed with different cross-sectional area characteristics in different regions (inlet region with constant or increasing area, outlet region with constant area) to create localized flow conditions that optimize cell processing efficiency while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice cross-sectional area parameters are specifically designed to be constant or increase from inlet to outlet, changing the flow velocity and shear stress parameters to achieve high cell processing efficiency without complex device structure
2Productivity
If the orifice cross-sectional area is reduced from inlet to outlet, then the flow velocity increases, but the cell processing efficiency remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice cross-sectional area parameters are designed to be constant or increase from inlet to outlet, optimizing the flow velocity profile and shear stress distribution to achieve high cell processing efficiency, whereas conventional designs reduce the area which does not provide sufficient efficiency improvement
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 significantly enhances the efficiency of cell processing, including gene introduction and membrane perforation, by controlling flow velocity and stress, leading to higher success rates in introducing substances into cells.
Implementation Method 1
passing a liquid containing a cell through an orifice from a flow path by a pressure applying unit
Implementation Method 2
the orifice is connected to the flow path so as to narrow a flow from the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
The cell processing method includes a step of passing a liquid containing a cell through an orifice from a flow path by a pressure applying unit, and is characterized in that the orifice is connected to the flow path so as to narrow a flow from the flow path and in that the orifice includes at least any one of a portion in which an area of a cross-section perpendicular to a flow direction of the liquid passing through a center of the orifice is prevented from being changed from an inlet toward an outlet of the orifice or a portion in which the area is increased from the inlet toward the outlet of the orifice. The cell processing apparatus is characterized by including an orifice forming member having the orifice, the flow path, and the pressure applying unit.