Tissue Disaggregation System with Multi-Axis Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue disaggregation methods are either lengthy and strenuous when using physical forces or require lengthy enzyme digestion, lacking efficiency in releasing single cells from complex tissue samples for downstream analysis.
Innovation Solution
A disaggregation system comprising a console with a motive applicator and sample pod that uses a combination of mechanical forces and enzymatic digestion, where the sample pod includes a weight that rotates and moves in multiple axes to assist in tissue disaggregation, allowing for efficient release of cells through a disaggregation screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical separation methods are used to disaggregate tissue, then cells can be released from tissue, but the process becomes lengthy and strenuous
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic motion of the pod holder plate through motive applicators, creating mechanical forces that actively disaggregate tissue rather than relying on static manual methods. The plate moves to generate shear forces and mechanical stress on the tissue sample, enabling automated and efficient cell release.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple disaggregation mechanisms into a single system: mechanical forces from pod holder plate motion, enzymatic digestion from added enzymes, and physical breakdown through screen filtration. This multi-modal approach achieves efficient tissue disaggregation without the time consumption of manual methods.
2Productivity
If enzyme digestion is used to disaggregate tissue, then cells can be released from tissue, but the process requires lengthy digestion time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mechanical disruption of tissue through motion-induced forces before enzymatic digestion begins. This pre-treatment breaks down tissue structure and increases surface area, allowing enzymes to work more efficiently and reduce digestion time.
Solution Approach 2:
The disaggregation process maintains continuous useful action by combining mechanical forces and enzymatic digestion simultaneously rather than sequentially. The pod holder plate motion continues during enzyme incubation, providing ongoing mechanical assistance that accelerates the overall process.
3Ease of operation
If manual physical separation is used to isolate cells from tissue, then cell isolation can be achieved, but the process becomes strenuous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the pod holder plate automatically performs disaggregation through its motion. The tissue sample disaggregates itself through the mechanical forces generated by the moving plate and screen filtration, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical separation with an automated mechanical system. The motive applicators drive the pod holder plate to generate the necessary mechanical forces, substituting human effort with an automated mechanical system that is both easier to operate and faster.
4Reliability
If tissue disaggregation is performed to isolate specific cell populations, then downstream analysis can be conducted, but the process lacks efficiency in releasing single cells
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality through the disaggregation screen positioned at the base of the pod. The screen provides localized mechanical filtration and size-based separation, ensuring that only properly disaggregated single cells pass through while maintaining high isolation quality for downstream analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic motion of the pod holder plate creates varying mechanical forces throughout the tissue sample, ensuring thorough disaggregation. This dynamic approach reliably releases single cells from all regions of the tissue, improving both the quality and efficiency of cell isolation.
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 system enables efficient and automated disaggregation of tissue into single cells, reducing processing time and minimizing cell damage, thereby facilitating downstream analysis and research applications.
Implementation Method 1
A first aspect of the disclosure provides a disaggregation system that includes a console. The console includes a housing, a pod holder plate, and a motive applicator mounted in the housing and moving the pod holder plate
Implementation Method 2
The sample pod further includes a weight disposed in tissue holder sleeve to assist in disaggregation of tissue. The weight has a diameter less than a diameter of the tissue holder sleeve, thereby the weight can rotate, and move in multiple axes during operation of the disaggregation system
Implementation Method 3
Disaggregation of tissue by enzyme digestion involves the breakdown of extracellular matrix that holds cells together to form structured tissue
Implementation Method 4
Physical separation of tissue, which is a lengthy and strenuous process when performed manually, using: a. scissors, knives, slicing, and/or other cutting devices
Data Source
AI summary
A disaggregation system includes a console, the console including a housing, a pod holder plate, a motive applicator mounted in the housing and configured to move the pod holder plate. The system further includes a sample pod configured for holding tissue to be disaggregated, where the sample pod includes a collector component configured for mounting to the pod holder plate; a tissue holder sleeve configured for holding tissue to be disaggregated; and a disaggregation screen. Tissue can be disposed in the sample pod, the sample pod configured to be mounted on the pod holder plate of the console, and when the motive applicator moves the pod holder plate with the pod thereon, tissue in the sample pod configured to be disaggregated into cells.