Renal Cell Aggregate Plate Volume Ratios for Accurate Drug Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and drug efficacy using renal cell aggregates in drug discovery are limited in accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A plate design with specific volume and specific gravity ratios, covered with a film having a high water vapor transmission rate, housing renal cell aggregates and liquid, and optionally frozen for improved evaluation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the volume ratio of aggregate and liquid to well is increased to improve evaluation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to precise volume control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidvolume control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges (volume ratio 35-75%, specific gravity 1.00-1.20) to optimize evaluation accuracy while providing clear guidance for implementation, balancing precision requirements with practical usability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a covering member is added to maintain aggregate stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaggregate stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a covering member (film or lid) that provides essential protection and stability for the renal cell aggregates while maintaining a simple, non-intrusive structure that does not significantly complicate the overall device design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If the water vapor transmission rate of the covering member is increased to maintain homogeneity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehomogeneity maintenanceVSAvoidwater loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the water vapor transmission rate parameter of the covering member to achieve a balance between maintaining internal homogeneity for accurate measurements and preventing excessive water loss from the culture system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the evaluation accuracy of pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and drug efficacy using renal cell aggregates by maintaining homogeneity and stability of the aggregates.

Implementation Method 1

the covering member has a water vapor transmission rate of 500 g/m2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater vapor transmission: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a specific gravity of the aggregate to the liquid is 1.00 or more and 1.20 or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4613848A1Plate containing renal cell aggregates, and pharmacokinetics test kit, toxicity test kit, and drug discovery and development kit using same

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 NIKKISO CO LTD

Figure 1

AI summary

Provided is a means for further improving evaluation accuracy in evaluating pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and drug efficacy using cell aggregates of a plurality of samples. A plate has a plurality of wells. A renal cell aggregate and a liquid are housed in each of the wells. Opening portions of the wells are covered with a covering member. A ratio of a total volume of the aggregate and the liquid to a total volume of the wells is a predetermined ratio.