Resin Cell Aggregate Holders to Minimize Non-Specific Adsorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cell characteristic detection devices using collagen supports are prone to non-specific adsorption of compounds due to immersion in liquid, which affects measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A cell characteristic detection device with resin holders suspended from a base plate, allowing only distal ends to be immersed in liquid, and a container with a treated inner surface to inhibit non-specific adsorption, along with adjustable holders made of specific resin materials to enhance measurement precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the support is made of collagen and the whole support is immersed in liquid, then the cell characteristic detection device can be constructed, but non-specific adsorption of the compound easily occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidnon-specific adsorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into two distinct parts: a base plate that remains outside the liquid and holder portions that are immersed. This segmentation allows only the necessary parts to contact the liquid, reducing non-specific adsorption while maintaining the functionality of the detection device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Resin material is introduced as an intermediary substance for the holder portions that contact the liquid. The resin acts as a mediator that prevents non-specific adsorption of compounds while still allowing the holders to perform their function of retaining and measuring cell aggregates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the holders are made of resin and only distal end portions are immersed, then non-specific adsorption is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-specific adsorptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The problematic base plate is separated from the liquid-contacting holder portions. By extracting the base plate function to a separate component that remains outside the liquid, the design eliminates non-specific adsorption at the source while keeping the holder structure relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the container inner surface is subjected to cell non-specific adsorption inhibition treatment, then non-specific adsorption of cells is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-specific adsorption of cellsVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The container inner surface is pre-treated with cell non-specific adsorption inhibition treatment before use. This preliminary action prevents non-specific adsorption of cells to the container, ensuring accurate measurements without requiring additional steps during the actual cell characteristic detection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device minimizes non-specific adsorption, enabling accurate detection of cell characteristics by reducing compound interaction, and allows for adjustable measurement parameters to suit different cell types.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of holders made of resin, suspended from the base plate, and elastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a container having an inner surface subjected to a cell non-specific adsorption inhibition treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-specific adsorption inhibition: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4696768A1Device for detecting cell characteristic and cell characteristic detection set
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO LTD
  • EP4696768A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696768A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4696768A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cell characteristic detection device (10) includes: a base plate (20); and a pair of holders (30) made of resin, suspended from the base plate (20), and elastically deformable. The cell characteristic detection device (10) is configured to allow an external device to detect a displacement amount ΔW of at least one of the pair of holders (30) while the pair of holders (30) are holding a cell aggregate (15) therebetween.