Cryopreserved Retinal Cell Suspension Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating and storing retinal cells are inefficient, as freshly isolated retinal cells remain viable for only a few days, limiting their use in research and transplantation for treating diseases like glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration.
Innovation Solution
A method involving incubating freshly isolated retinal tissue with a protease-containing digestion solution, followed by triturating and adding fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide to form a retinal cell suspension, which is then stored in liquid nitrogen, allowing for the long-term preservation and retrieval of functional mature retinal cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If retinal cells are isolated using conventional methods, then the isolation process is simple, but the cells remain viable for only a couple of days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter by introducing freezing and cryopreservation. The retinal cells are isolated using conventional enzymatic digestion, then suspended in a cryoprotective medium containing DMSO and FBS, and stored at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen. This parameter change from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures extends cell viability from days to years while maintaining cellular integrity and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cryoprotective medium as an intermediary substance between the isolated retinal cells and the storage environment. This medium contains dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and fetal bovine serum (FBS), which protect the cells from ice crystal formation and membrane damage during freezing, thereby enabling long-term preservation without compromising cell viability.
2Reliability
If retinal cells are stored long-term, then cell availability for treatment increases, but storage conditions become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a reliable long-term storage system by changing the temperature parameter to cryogenic levels (-80°C or liquid nitrogen temperature). This parameter change enables storage duration extension from days to years while maintaining cell viability. The complexity is managed by using standardized cryopreservation protocols and commercially available cryogenic storage equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryoprotective medium serves as a mediator that enables reliable long-term storage by protecting cells from freezing damage. The medium contains DMSO at 10% concentration and FBS at 10% concentration, which form a protective environment during cryopreservation, ensuring cell survival and functionality upon thawing.
3Productivity
If conventional isolation methods are used, then the process is quick, but the majority of isolated cells cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by isolating and cryopreserving retinal cells in advance before they are needed for transplantation or research. The cells are isolated using standard enzymatic digestion, suspended in cryoprotective medium, and stored at cryogenic temperatures. This preliminary preparation allows the cells to be stored for years and retrieved on demand, eliminating the time window limitation and enabling high utilization rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from ambient to cryogenic levels, which fundamentally alters the metabolic state of the cells and extends their viable lifespan from days to years. This parameter change enables the accumulation and storage of large numbers of isolated cells without degradation, significantly improving the utilization rate of isolated retinal cells for future treatments.
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 method effectively extends the viability of retinal cells, enabling their successful storage and retrieval, and their use in treating various retinal dysfunctions, including photoreceptor degeneration and retinal trauma, by maintaining cellular integrity and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
incubating freshly isolated retinal tissue with a retinal tissue digestion solution containing a protease
Implementation Method 2
storing the retinal cell suspension in liquid nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
adding fetal bovine serum (FBS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the retinal cell suspension
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is disclosed. The Method is applicable to adult mammalian cone cells, and more particularly human cone cells, and to healthy as well as pathological or otherwise altered cone cells. A kit for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is also described.