Synchronized Cell Culture Stimulation Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for culturing cells and tissues are limited in providing synchronized options for electrical and mechanical stimulation, which are essential for maintaining cell vitality and preventing de-differentiation and atrophy.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that synchronizes electrical stimulation with mechanical stretch events, allowing for novel mechanical/electrical stimulation regimens that delay de-differentiation and atrophy, promote cell differentiation, and facilitate the maturation of stem cells by applying both electrical and stretch stimuli in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to cultured cells, then cell contractile properties are maintained, but the system lacks synchronization with mechanical stretch events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical stimulation and mechanical stretch into a single synchronized system. The culture substrate serves dual functions as both the mechanical stretch element and the electrical electrode support, allowing simultaneous application of both stimuli types with precise temporal coordination to maintain cell properties while providing versatile stimulation regimens
Solution Approach 2:
The culture substrate is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a mechanical element for stretch application and an electrical element for stimulus delivery. This universal component integrates previously separate mechanical and electrical stimulation systems into one unified platform that can deliver coordinated biophysical stimuli
2Reliability
If mechanical stretch is applied to cell cultures, then cell vitality is promoted, but the system lacks coordination with electrical stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges mechanical stretch and electrical stimulation delivery into a single integrated apparatus. The culture substrate simultaneously functions as the mechanical element for stretch and the electrical electrode for stimulus delivery, coordinating both stimuli types through unified control to promote cell vitality without requiring complex separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The culture substrate acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the control system and the cells. It receives both mechanical and electrical inputs and delivers them in a coordinated manner to the cells, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling synchronized multi-modal stimulation
3Ease of manufacture
If separate electrical and mechanical stimulation systems are used, then each can be optimized independently, but synchronization between stimuli is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical and mechanical stimulation delivery functions into a single integrated system. The culture substrate serves dual purposes as both mechanical stretch element and electrical electrode, enabling inherent synchronization of stimuli delivery while maintaining the ability to optimize electrical and mechanical parameters independently through separate control inputs
Data Source
AI summary
A method of culturing cells or tissue comprises: (a) disposing cells or tissue in the cavity of a deformable cell culture container; and (b) applying synchronized chronic electrical stimulation and stretch to the cells or tissue in the deformable culture cell container, wherein the synchronized chronic electrical stimulation is applied in the form of pulses at a frequency of from 0.010-99 Hz and a duration of from 0.4 to 24 ms; and wherein stretch cycles are applied to the cells or tissue at a frequency of from 0.010 to 15 Hz.