Capillary network devices and methods of use
AssigneeHemanext Inc.
InventorsTatsuro Yoshida, Sergey S. Shevkoplyas, Jennie M. Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Artificial microvascular network (AMVN) devices are provided and related methods of making and methods of using such devices are provided. The present disclosure generally relates to an AMVN device comprising a substrate including a capillary network configured so as to simulate those actually encountered in the circulation of various humans and animal model systems. In certain aspects, the AMVN devices may be used, e.g., to investigate the effect of storing RBCs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, the use of such AMVN devices is not so limited.
Claims20
An artificial microvascular network device for a biological sample comprising:
- a substrate having a capillary network formed thereon;
- wherein said capillary network comprises at least one unbranched microchannel of a variable size along its length;
- at least one inlet port in communication with said capillary network microchannel for sample entry;
- and at least one outlet port in communication with said capillary network microchannel for sample exit;
- and wherein the at least one unbranched microchannel ranges in size from 3 μm to 70 μm;
- and
- wherein said variable cross-sectional width is oriented along the longitudinal axis of said at least one unbranched microchannel, wherein said at least one unbranched microchannel comprises a gradual taper having an initial width greater than a final width, and a taper length ranging from 5 μm to 100 μm, a constriction and one or more expanded regions following said constriction and having an expanded region width greater than said constriction and said final width of said gradual taper.
A method comprising:
- a) obtaining a blood sample from a unit of blood;
- b) applying said blood sample to a capillary network device (CND),
- wherein said capillary network comprises at least one unbranched microchannel of a variable size along its length;
- at least one inlet port in communication with said capillary network microchannel for sample entry;
- and at least one outlet port in communication with said capillary network microchannel for sample exit;
- and wherein the at least one unbranched microchannel ranges in size from 3 μm to 70 μm;
- and wherein said variable cross-sectional width is oriented along the longitudinal axis of said at least one unbranched microchannel, wherein said at least one unbranched microchannel comprises a gradual taper having an initial width greater than a final width, and a taper length ranging from 5 μm to 100 μm, a constriction, and one or more expanded regions following said constriction and having an expanded region width greater than said constriction and said final width of said gradual taper;
- c) measuring red blood cell (RBC) deformability in said blood sample and comparing said RBC deformability to a predetermined value;
- and
- d) selecting said unit of blood for extended storage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.