Producing a hydrogel structure with micrometer dimensions on a substrate, comprises one channel comprising casting mold, a liquid hydrogel, freezing and removing sating mold is useful for growth of axons

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method to produce very small (micrometer-scale) hydrogel structures on a surface using a molding and freezing technique. The process involves directing liquid hydrogel into a mold on a substrate, freezing it, and then removing the mold, leaving behind a hydrogel bridge. These structures can guide the growth of neuronal axons, particularly useful for nerve tissue engineering.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Culturing nerve cells for neuroscience research
• Regenerating or repairing nerves by guiding axon growth in implants
• Testing drug effects on nerve growth in a controlled environment
• Developing microfluidic platforms for biological studies
• Creating scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise control over the shape and size of hydrogel structures at the micrometer scale
• Facilitates guided growth of axons, important for nerve repair or regeneration
• Scalable and adaptable method for creating various microstructures for biological use
• Non-destructive and mild processing conditions that preserve biological compatibility
• Supports development and testing of new therapies for nerve damage

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Producing a hydrogel structure with micrometer dimensions on a substrate (5), comprises: (i) arranging at least one channel (8) comprising a mold (7) made of elastomer on the substrate, where the half-open channel is sealed along its length against the substrate and the mold exhibits at least two openings interconnected through the channel; (ii) introducing a liquid hydrogel through one of the openings to form a bridge (2), in the channel; (iii) freezing the gel-filled with mold and the substrate; and (iv) removing the mold from the frozen hydrogel, where the bridge remains on the substrate. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a hydrogel structure having at least one frozen bridge, on a substrate produced by the above method; and (2) use of the hydrogel, where growth of axons is directed in the thawed bridge of the hydrogel structure.