Single-Cell Droplet Printing for Low-Damage Cell Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single cell sorting methods face issues such as cross contamination, mechanical and photodamage to cells, high cost, complex operation, long processing times, data processing challenges, and difficulty in handling heterogeneity, and potential contamination, and cross contamination, which affect experimental accuracy and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A single cell printer with a sampling device, jetting device, optical detection device, sorting device, and control device that forms, detects, and sorts cell droplets based on preset conditions to minimize cell damage and improve accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flow cytometer is used for cell sorting, then cell sorting capability is achieved, but cross contamination between cells occurs and strict sample handling is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sorting capabilityVSAvoidcross contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cell sorting process into individual droplet formations, where each droplet contains at most one cell. This is achieved by generating a stream of aerosol droplets from the cell suspension, ensuring physical separation of cells into discrete units that are then sorted independently, eliminating cross-contamination between cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary aerosolization process between the cell suspension and the sorting target. The cell suspension is converted into an aerosol cloud where cells are dispersed in individual droplets, serving as an intermediate state that enables contamination-free sorting while maintaining cell viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If flow cytometer sorting is performed, then cell sorting is achieved, but mechanical stress and photodamage occur to cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sorting efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical stress and photodamage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical sorting mechanism of flow cytometers with an acoustic field-based approach. Acoustic waves are used to manipulate and sort the aerosolized cell droplets, eliminating mechanical stress on cells while maintaining sorting efficiency. The acoustic field provides a contactless, gentle means of cell manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If dilution method is used for single cell sorting, then single cells are dispersed, but time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle cell dispersion accuracyVSAvoidsorting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition by converting the cell suspension from liquid phase to aerosol phase. This phase change enables instantaneous dispersion of cells into individual droplets without requiring multiple dilution steps, significantly reducing sorting time while maintaining single-cell dispersion accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Measurement precision

If existing cell sorting methods are used, then single cells are screened, but subsequent cell culture interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle cell screening accuracyVSAvoidexperimental result reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by aerosolizing the cell suspension and forming individual cell droplets before the sorting decision is made. This allows for pre-screening and verification of single-cell content in each droplet using optical detection, ensuring that only valid single-cell droplets are sorted, thereby preventing subsequent culture interference.

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 printer reduces cell damage, enhances sorting accuracy and efficiency, lowers equipment costs, and enables high-throughput applications by accurately sorting target droplets into well plates.

Implementation Method 1

a jetting device, a liquid inlet of the jetting device is connected to an outlet of the sampling device, the jetting device is used to control a vibration of the cell suspension to form a cell droplet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

an optical detection device, the optical detection device is provided facing the jetting device and is used to obtain droplet image information of the cell droplet to be sorted in the jetting device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20260001078A1Single cell printer and cell printing method

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 WUHAN OBINL BIOTECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a single cell printer and a cell printing method. The single cell printer includes a sampling device, a jetting device, an optical detection device, a sorting device and a control device. A liquid inlet of the jetting device is connected to an outlet of the sampling device, and the cell droplet is jetted through a liquid outlet of the jetting device. The optical detection device obtains droplet image information of the cell droplet in the jetting device. The sorting device is provided at the liquid outlet. The control device controls the jetting device to form the cell droplet and sort it into a preset well plate.