Xenon Gas Cell Preservation Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preserving living cells, such as cryopreservation, induce stress and apoptosis in cells during storage and transportation, leading to cell injury and death.
Innovation Solution
A method involving holding nucleated cells in a container with xenon gas at elevated pressure (0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient) and controlled temperature (22° C.-37° C.) followed by cooling to 0.1° C.-10° C., maintaining pressure, and then gradually returning to ambient pressure and temperature, significantly reduces apoptosis in cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cryopreservation methods are used to store cells at low temperatures, then cell storage duration is extended, but cell viability decreases due to ice crystal formation and cellular stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional cryopreservation temperatures (below -20°C) to a higher range (0.1°C to 10°C), and introduces pressure as a new control parameter (0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient). This combination of temperature and pressure changes allows extended storage duration while maintaining cell viability by preventing ice crystal formation and reducing cellular stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach combining specific temperature ranges (0.1°C to 10°C) with elevated pressure conditions (0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient) and xenon gas atmosphere to create an optimized preservation environment that simultaneously achieves extended storage duration and maintained cell viability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cryoprotecting substances are used to prevent ice crystal formation, then cell protection is improved, but cellular stress and apoptosis increase due to the chemicals themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates cryoprotecting chemicals from the preservation system, replacing them with a physical approach using elevated pressure and controlled temperature conditions. This removes the source of chemical-induced cellular stress and apoptosis while still preventing ice crystal formation through pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism (cryoprotecting substances) with a mechanical/physical mechanism (elevated pressure and temperature control). The pressure and temperature parameters directly prevent ice crystal formation and reduce cellular stress without introducing harmful chemicals
3Adaptability or versatility
If cells are obtained directly from organs and tissues for storage, then cell source availability is improved, but cell injury increases during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameters to elevated pressure (0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient) and controlled temperature (0.1°C to 10°C), which significantly reduces cell injury during storage and transportation of freshly isolated cells from organs and tissues, thereby enabling broader cell source availability
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
This method effectively reduces apoptosis in cells during storage and transportation, improving their durability and viability without the need for cryoprotectant agents, as demonstrated by reduced apoptosis in human leukemic cell lines.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanism of cryo-protection involves preventing formation of ice crystals that destroy cells and/or cellular components
Implementation Method 2
lowering the temperature in the container to 0.1° C.-10° C. while maintaining the pressure of 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for reducing apoptosis in nucleated cells. The method entails holding nucleated cells in a container and adding a gas containing xenon to the container so that the pressure inside the container reaches between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure; holding the container at between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure for a period of time during which the temperature in the container is between 22° C. and 37° C.; lowering the temperature in the container to between 0.1° C. and 10° C. while maintaining the pressure of 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure and holding the container for a period of time; and reducing the pressure in the container to ambient pressure and increasing the temperature to 22° C.-37° C. By performing these steps, the cells undergo less apoptosis than a reference.