Connecticut Patent of the Month – January 2025
Propria LLC has developed a groundbreaking automated method for testing tissue specimens, addressing key challenges in tissue engineering and biomechanics. This invention streamlines the process by minimizing manual handling, reducing the risk of specimen damage, and enhancing precision in biomechanical analysis.
At the heart of this innovation is a specialized cassette that houses the tissue specimen, supported by a floating clip and a detachable frame. When inserted into the testing instrument, the system operates autonomously through a microcontroller, which orchestrates a series of precise actions. The device first activates a decoupling mechanism to release the floating clip, allowing the force transducer cantilever to engage and stretch the tissue. By measuring the tensile force exerted on the specimen, the system provides critical biomechanical data with minimal user intervention.
What sets this invention apart is its ability to not only test tissue specimens but also stimulate them electrically, eliciting contractions and assessing physiological responses in real time. The system further ensures optimal conditions by circulating sterile fluid within the receptacle, monitoring and regulating temperature, and maintaining fluid levels through a pumping system. These integrated features create a controlled environment that enhances the reliability of experimental results.
A particularly sophisticated element of the invention is its laser-based force measurement system. By bending the force transducer cantilever and reflecting a laser beam onto a photodetector, the microcontroller can precisely determine tensile forces acting on the tissue. This approach eliminates many of the inaccuracies associated with manual measurement techniques.
By automating and standardizing the biomechanical testing process, Propria LLC’s invention paves the way for more efficient tissue research and diagnostic applications. This innovation not only increases reproducibility but also makes advanced tissue analysis more accessible to researchers and clinicians alike.
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