Microwell Plate Lumen Models Using Rod-Templated Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D tissue and organ models fail to capture crosstalk between multiple cell types and mechanical cues in the microenvironment, limiting their ability to mimic in vivo structure-function relationships, and existing methods for creating lumen models are not automated, high-throughput, or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for creating lumen models in a microwell plate using polymerizable material and rods to define lumens, allowing for automated, high-throughput fabrication with parallel or perpendicular lumens, and a fixture to move rods between retracted and extended positions for lumen creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual methods are used to create lumen models, then flexibility and control are maintained, but automation and high-throughput fabrication are achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The fabrication device is segmented into modular components: a microwell plate holder, a rod array mechanism with individual rod actuators, and a polymerization system. Each well can be independently processed, and rods can be individually controlled to create lumens of varying geometries. This modular segmentation enables automated high-throughput fabrication while maintaining the flexibility to create diverse lumen configurations without requiring a monolithic complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabrication device is designed with universal components that can perform multiple functions. The rod array mechanism can create lumens in multiple wells simultaneously or sequentially, and the same basic device structure can accommodate different microwell plate configurations. The polymerizable material system can form various lumen geometries (circular, elliptical, irregular) using the same fundamental process, enabling high-throughput automated fabrication without requiring specialized equipment for each lumen type.
2Reliability
If complex 3D tissue models are created to mimic in vivo structure, then physiological relevance is improved, but ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The method employs preliminary action by first forming a solid polymerized material structure within each microwell, then inserting rods to define the lumen geometry before final polymerization completes. This preliminary structuring allows the complex 3D lumen architecture to be established early in the process, after which the remaining material simply needs to be polymerized and excess removed. This approach enables physiologically relevant 3D lumen models to be created through a simplified two-stage process rather than requiring complex direct 3D printing or manual sculpting techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple cylindrical rods as templates or copies that define the lumen geometry. Instead of directly creating complex 3D structures, the rod array creates simplified cylindrical impressions that are then replicated throughout the polymerized material. These cylindrical lumen copies can be arranged in various patterns and configurations to mimic in vivo vascular networks, achieving physiological relevance through repeated simple geometric forms rather than direct replication of complex biological structures.
3Productivity
If high-throughput automated fabrication is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fabrication device merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the micrawell plate holder simultaneously positions multiple wells, the rod array mechanism concurrently or sequentially inserts rods into multiple wells, and the polymerization system processes all wells in unison. This merging of functions into one coordinated device enables high-throughput automated fabrication of lumen models across entire microwell plates (96-well or 384-well formats) without requiring separate equipment for each well, achieving high productivity with a single multifunctional device rather than multiple individual systems.
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
Enables the creation of lumen models that mimic in vivo structure-function relationships, facilitating deeper analysis of disease mechanisms and drug testing, while being simple and inexpensive to implement.
Implementation Method 1
filling the well with a polymerizable material. The material in the well is polymerized
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device of creating a lumen model in a microwell plate defining a well is provided. A rod is inserted through the well of the microwell plate and the well is filled with a polymerizable material. The material is polymerized in the well. The rod is removed from the well of the microwell plate such that the polymerized material defines a lumen.