Compact Ussing Chamber for Multi-Parameter Tissue Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ussing chambers are bulky and limited in their ability to measure multiple parameters simultaneously across multiple biological tissues, making them unsuitable for scalable analysis and commercial applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact Ussing chamber assembly with integrated instrumentation and a fluidic/microfluidic system that allows for the measurement of Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance, pH, oxygen, glucose, and lactose levels on both sides of a tissue sample, while enabling 90-degree rotation and microscopy during fluid flow, with a measurement circuit and electrical conductors for multi-parameter analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional Ussing chambers use separate glass tubes and benchtop instrumentation for each measurement, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and bulkiness increase, limiting scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement functions (electrical resistance, pH, oxygen, glucose, lactose sensing) into a single Ussing chamber device with combined electronics and fluidic systems, replacing traditional separate glass tubes and benchtop instruments. This merging maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and enabling compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ussing chamber is designed as a multi-functional platform that can simultaneously perform multiple types of measurements (electrical, chemical, optical) on multiple tissue samples. The integrated sensor array and measurement circuit enable the device to handle diverse analytical tasks within a single unified system, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional Ussing chambers measure parameters one at a time with benchtop instrumentation, then measurement reliability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to inability to measure multiple parameters simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters (electrical resistance, pH, oxygen, glucose, lactose) across multiple chamber portions through integrated sensors and parallel measurement circuits. This continuous multi-parameter monitoring maintains measurement reliability while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating sequential measurement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to dynamically adapt and simultaneously capture multiple physiological parameters in real-time during tissue assessment. The integrated electronics can switch between and concurrently monitor different measurement modes, enabling flexible high-throughput analysis that maintains reliability through real-time data acquisition.
3Ease of operation
If traditional Ussing chambers are designed for single tissue analysis, then ease of operation is maintained, but adaptability decreases, limiting commercial usefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The Ussing chamber is divided into multiple independent chamber portions (first chamber portion, second chamber portion) that can each accommodate separate tissue samples. This segmentation allows the device to analyze multiple tissues simultaneously while maintaining simple individual sample handling, thus improving adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated measurement system provides universal capability to assess multiple tissue types and multiple physiological parameters within a single device platform. The standardized chamber design with integrated sensors allows the same device to handle diverse biological samples and measurement requirements, enhancing adaptability while maintaining user-friendly operation through consistent interfaces.
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
Enables efficient, multi-parameter analysis of multiple biological tissues simultaneously, enhancing scalability and commercial usefulness by providing a compact and versatile solution for tissue assessment.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement circuit configured to measure a Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance
Implementation Method 2
at least one of pH, oxygen level, glucose level, and lactose level in the first chamber portion
Implementation Method 3
at least one of pH, oxygen level, glucose level, and lactose level in the first chamber portion
Data Source
AI summary
An Ussing chamber assembly for assessing a tissue sample and for receiving a first fluid and a second fluid during such assessment is disclosed. The Ussing chamber assembly includes an Ussing chamber configured to be separated by the tissue sample into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The assembly includes a first channel in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion, a second channel in fluidic communication with the second chamber portion, and at least three electrical conductors in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion.