Removable Culture Surface Element for Transwell Insert Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in vitro cell and tissue culture systems lack efficient manual and automatic handling capabilities, limiting their effectiveness as substitutes for in vivo animal testing and hindering biological characterization and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A culture system featuring a removably attachable culture surface element integrated with a transwell-like type insert plate and a transfer plate, allowing for secure and efficient transfer, storage, and manipulation of culture components, facilitating both bioprinting and imaging processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If culture surface elements are permanently fixed to transwell insert plates, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of operation for transfer and manipulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The culture system is divided into separable components: culture surface elements that can be detached from transwell insert plates. This segmentation allows the culture surface elements to be transferred to different plates (e.g., imaging plates, storage plates) while maintaining structural integrity through standardized attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism between culture surface elements and transwell insert plates is designed to be dynamically changeable - allowing secure attachment during culture maintenance easy detachment for transfer. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between stable fixation and easy transfer modes as needed.
2Productivity
If multiple culture surface elements are handled individually, then precision manipulation is achieved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transwell insert plate and associated components are designed to accommodate multiple culture surface elements simultaneously. The plate structure, attachment mechanism, and transfer system are universal in nature, allowing batch handling of multiple elements without requiring individual processing, thereby improving productivity while maintaining controlled manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If culture surface elements are designed for easy removal, then ease of operation for transfer is improved, but reliability of secure attachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into discrete engagement features that can be easily engaged and disengaged. The culture surface elements have specific attachment interfaces that mate with corresponding features on the transwell insert plate, allowing simple removal when needed while ensuring secure attachment during culture operations.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary attachment mechanism serves as the mediator between the culture surface element and the transwell insert plate. This intermediary component facilitates easy removal through simple engagement/disengagement actions while maintaining reliable attachment during the culture process, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and attachment reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a culture system comprising a base comprising a multiwell plate; a transwell-like type insert plate comprising a plurality of culture insert assemblies, wherein each culture insert assembly comprises a culture surface element that is removably mounted to a culture insert body; and a cover designed to fit over the transwell-like type insert plate.