Multiwell Tissue Culture Platform with Selector-Valve Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell and tissue culture technologies fail to accurately recreate in vivo cellular environments due to lack of 3-dimensional structure and dynamic flow, and are not compatible with existing laboratory hardware, particularly automated equipment.
Innovation Solution
A tissue culture assembly with multiple well chambers fluidically coupled via microfluidic channels and selector valves, allowing for customizable setups of integrated or non-interacting culture subsystems, replicating in vivo tissue interactions and tissue-tissue communication under dynamic flow conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cell culture technologies are used, then simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but the ability to recreate in vivo cellular environments is poor due to lack of 3-dimensional structure and dynamic flow
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent well chambers (e.g., 96 wells) that can be individually configured and controlled. Each well chamber can be separated into donor wells and acceptor wells, allowing independent manipulation of each compartment while maintaining overall system functionality. This segmentation enables complex in vivo environment simulation without requiring the entire system to be overly complicated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic flow control through selector valves that can be switched between different positions (e.g., position 1, 2, or 3) to create varying fluid flow patterns. This allows the system to transition between static and dynamic flow conditions, enabling the recreation of in vivo cellular environments with temporal variations in flow rate and direction while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new tissue culture technologies with 3-dimensional structure and dynamic flow are implemented, then biological relevance is improved, but compatibility with current laboratory hardware is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal interfaces and standard dimensions that allow it to be compatible with existing laboratory hardware such as microscopes, incubators, and automated handling systems. The well chambers can be viewed through transparent bottoms compatible with optical systems, and the overall plate format can be manipulated by standard robotic systems. This universality enables the incorporation of advanced 3D culture capabilities while maintaining ease of integration with current laboratory equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediary components such as flexible conduits and standardized valve mechanisms that bridge the gap between complex 3D culture requirements and simple hardware interfaces. These intermediaries allow sophisticated fluid dynamics control to be achieved through relatively simple mechanical or pneumatic actuation, maintaining compatibility with existing laboratory infrastructure while enabling advanced biological functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple integrated culture subsystems are created, then tissue-tissue interactions are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the culture environment into multiple independent well chambers that can be individually configured as donor or acceptor wells. This segmentation allows different tissue types to be cultured in separate chambers while maintaining the ability to create integrated interactions through controlled fluid flow between chambers. The modular nature of the segmentation reduces overall system complexity compared to monolithic integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple well chambers are merged into an integrated system through fluidic connectivity via channels and valves. The merging is achieved through standardized fluid pathways that allow media and cells to be exchanged between chambers, enabling tissue-tissue interactions. This merging approach maintains simplicity by using uniform connection protocols and standardized interfaces across all chambers, avoiding the complexity of custom integration for each tissue pair.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If dynamic flow conditions are implemented, then culture health and longevity are improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic flow control through selector valves that can be automatically switched between different positions to create varying flow patterns. This allows the system to transition between static and dynamic flow conditions, enabling the recreation of in vivo cellular environments with temporal variations in flow rate and direction while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor culture conditions and automatically adjust flow rates and valve positions to maintain optimal culture health. This feedback control enables prolonged culture longevity by dynamically responding to changing conditions without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the advanced flow control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue culture platforms that may be configured for tissue culture or biological cell culture, and methods for use thereof, are described. In general, the tissue culture platforms include multiple well chambers that are fluidically coupled by one or more channels. Flow between the different well chambers is controlled via one or more selector valves, enabling a single tissue culture platform that can provide multiple integrated culture subsystems, multiple non-interacting culture subsystems, or combinations thereof.