Tissue Engineered Model With Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue engineering methods face challenges in maintaining culture conditions for engineered tissues, particularly in promoting survival, growth, and functionality, as well as integrating necessary stimuli and biomechanical stability, which limits their utility in pre-clinical animal studies and increases research costs.
Innovation Solution
A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure comprising a frame with a membrane and a solidified gel and cell matrix, designed to mimic in vivo conditions, allowing for the creation of complex tissue models with improved culture conditions and integration of mechanical stimuli, such as capillary networks and fluid circulation, to enhance cell growth and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tissue engineered cultures are grown to create engineered organs and whole tissues, then the complexity and functionality of the tissue model is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining culture conditions worsens due to the need for capillary networks and multiple transport mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A permeable membrane serves as an intermediary between the tissue culture and the external environment, enabling nutrient and gas exchange while maintaining a controlled culture environment. The membrane acts as a mediator that simplifies the maintenance system by providing a standardized interface for transport without requiring complex internal capillary networks in the early stages of tissue development.
2Volume of stationary object
If diffusion is used as the sole means of nutrient and metabolite transport in standard cell culture, then the simplicity of the culture system is maintained, but the ability to support large-scale engineered organs and whole tissues is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable membrane acts as an enhanced transport intermediary that facilitates efficient nutrient and metabolite exchange across the tissue culture. This membrane-based transport system enables support for larger tissue volumes by providing a high-surface-area interface for diffusion and transport, bridging the gap between simple diffusion and complex capillary networks.
3Reliability
If extensive culturing is performed to promote cell survival, growth and functionality in engineered tissues, then the quality and functionality of the tissue product is improved, but the time required for tissue creation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue model is pre-configured with a permeable membrane and optimized structural framework before cell seeding, establishing efficient transport pathways and growth conditions in advance. This preliminary structuring allows cells to begin functioning sooner by eliminating the need for extensive time-consuming culture periods to develop basic transport and structural capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If simple maintenance culture is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to induce cell functionality through proper factors and stimuli is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue model structure with its permeable membrane framework serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains culture conditions, enables nutrient transport, allows introduction of growth factors and stimuli, and supports cell functionality induction. This multi-functional design maintains operational simplicity while enhancing the ability to induce cell functionality through integrated structural features.
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 TEM structure bridges the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies, reducing costs and improving reproducibility by providing a more accurate and consistent model for drug discovery, allowing for the simulation of in vivo-like environments and the study of complex tissue behaviors.
Implementation Method 1
a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.