But how do you see if those repairs are working?

Chi Hwan Lee, Leslie A Geddes Associate Professor, and his team invented a new type of floating 3D scaffold that can monitor cell behavior in lab cultures more effectively. This scaffold floats on the cell culture medium, allowing the electronic devices attached to it to stay dry and function optimally. The cells grow underneath the scaffold, while the electronics above record detailed data about the cells' electrical properties over long periods, such as weeks. 

“This patented technology is particularly useful for drug testing and tissue cultivation in the lab, providing scientists with valuable insights into how cells interact and develop in three-dimensional environments,” said Lee, the Leslie A. Geddes Associate Professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering. 

The technology uses tiny sensors placed on flexible scaffolds to monitor the new materials in the body. The scaffold is buoyant, allowing it to float and survive in the wet conditions found in many parts of the body.

Lee says the device could help millions of people. 

“Tissue engineering already provides new hope for hard-to-treat disorders, and our technology brings even more possibilities,” said Lee. “This device offers an expanded set of potential options to monitor cell and tissue function after surgical transplants in diseased or damaged bodies. Our technology offers diverse options for sensing and works in moist internal body environments that are typically unfavorable for electronic instruments.”

Watch a video interview with Chi Hwan Lee.

Congratulations to all Purdue University researchers across all campuses and academic disciplines, who received a patent on their intellectual property from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in April.

Most of these innovations are available to license and bring to market. Visit the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization’s website to learn more about these and other available innovations.

Sources: 

Instrumented Flexible Tissue Scaffolds Allowing for Real-time Monitoring of Engineered Tissues and Cells

3D body mapping could identify, treat organs, cells damaged from medical conditions.

Tracking and mapping the health of damaged organs

Chi Hwan Lee, lee2270@purdue.edu