Release-Layer Cell Carriers for Adherent Assay Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional assays face challenges with adherent cells that are difficult to transfer from well plates without damage, leading to inefficiencies and potential bias in measurement, as well as clogging issues in flow cytometry due to their tendency to agglomerate.
Innovation Solution
A carrier system with a release layer that secures assay samples to a substrate, allowing them to be released into a biocompatible aqueous solution, enabling easy manipulation and transport while maintaining the cells' viability and reducing agglomeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adherent cells are stripped from the well plate for transfer, then the cells can be moved to another container, but the cells may be damaged and the assay may be biased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier as an intermediary object between the well plate and the final destination. The carrier has a release layer that allows cells to be released from the well plate substrate without direct stripping, and can then be transferred to flow cytometry apparatus or other containers. This intermediary carrier protects the cells during transfer while enabling mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is prepared in advance with a release layer that is designed to release cells under specific conditions (such as exposure to aqueous solution or mechanical agitation). This preliminary preparation allows the cells to remain attached during initial handling and only release when needed, preventing premature damage.
2Reliability
If adherent cells are kept attached to the well plate bottom, then cell viability is maintained, but measurement efficiency is reduced because only 1-2% of the sample can be imaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell sample by distributing cells onto multiple individual carriers rather than keeping them all attached to a single well plate bottom. This allows selective release and measurement of specific carriers containing cells of interest, dramatically increasing the proportion of samples that can be efficiently measured while maintaining cell viability during transport.
3Ease of operation
If adherent cells are forced into suspension for flow cytometry, then flow measurement is enabled, but the cells may not accurately represent the normal biological state
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier serves as an intermediary that allows cells to maintain their attached state during transport and only release into suspension when entering the flow cytometry measurement system. This minimizes the time cells spend in suspension, reducing artifacts while still enabling flow-based measurement.
4Ease of operation
If adherent cells are stripped from the substrate, then transfer is enabled, but 12-48 hours are required for cells to return to normal state
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier with its release layer enables transfer without traditional stripping. Cells remain attached to the carrier surface during transfer operations and only release when intentionally triggered, eliminating the need for prolonged recovery periods and allowing immediate use after transfer.
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 carrier system allows for efficient handling and measurement of adherent cells without stripping, minimizing damage and bias, and prevents clogging in flow cytometry by keeping cells in a representative biological state.
Implementation Method 1
the release layer configured in use to release the carrier from the substrate in the presence of a biocompatible aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier system (100) provides a carrier or carriers (12) for carrying assay samples in an assay. The carrier(s) are secured to a substrate (10) by a release layer (14). The carrier(s) are suitable for receiving an assay sample, and the release layer is configured to release the carrier(s) from the substrate in the presence of a biocompatible aqueous solution. To perform an assay a biocompatible aqueous solution, in which the assay sample is usually suspended, is supplied to the carrier system. The assay sample is received by the carrier(s) and the release layer is activated by the biocompatible aqueous solution to release the carrier.