Light-guiding hydrogel devices for cell-based sensing and therapy
OwnerSeok-Hyun Yun, Myunghwan Choiinventors
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Abstract
A hydrogel-lightguide based sensory system susceptible to a stimulus signal produced by ambient and stimulating sensory cells embedded in a hydrogel body of the system. Sensory cells generate an optical signal (in response to a user-defined triggering with excitation light or, alternatively, due to bioluminescence) the properties of which, determined based on detection of such signal with an optical detector device, provide characterization of the stimulus and information required for user-defined activation of emitter cells encapsulated in the hydrogel. When activated, emitter cells generate matter and/or light directed to interact with the ambient.
Claims21
An assembly, comprising:
- a polymer hydrogel body;
- sensory receptors encapsulated inside said body, said sensory receptors configured:
- when irradiated with first light channeled thereto by said body, to detect a stimulus produced by an ambient in the vicinity of said body, and
- to emit second light is response to a detection of said stimulus;
- and
- reflex elements encapsulated inside said body, said reflex elements configured
- in response to user input applied thereto, and following emission of said second light by said sensory receptors, to generate an output configured to interact with said ambient.
A method for operating an assembly, the method comprising:
- transmitting first light through a polymer hydrogel body, of the assembly, to activate sensory receptors encapsulated in said body to render said sensory receptors sensitive to a stimulus produced outside of said polymer hydrogel body;
- detecting second light, generated by activated sensory receptors in response to said stimulus, with an optical detection unit of the assembly;
- and
- generating an output with reflex elements encapsulated within said polymer hydrogel body, said output including one or more of a molecular output and a photon output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.