# US 10,870,823 B2 · Biomimetic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,823 B2 - Document ID: US10870823B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/737,809 - Filed: 2015-06-12 - Published: 2015-12-17 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-12 - Assignees: Lehigh University - Applicants: Lehigh University - Inventors: Yaling Liu; Antony Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870823B2 ## CPC - C12M 23/16: {Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes (integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093)} - C12M 23/20: {Material Coatings (immunocoatings C12M25/00)} - C12M 25/02: {Membranes; Filters (filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00)} - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} ## Abstract Described herein are apparatus comprising: a first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel; a second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel; and a membrane for culturing cells; along with methods of making and using same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode-free apparatus comprising: a first layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel having a first length and a first width, the first width being uniform along the first length of the first microfluidic channel; a second layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel having a second length and a second width, the second width being uniform along the second length of the second microfluidic channel, the second width being at least twice as wide as the first width; a membrane for culturing cells, the membrane having a length that is at least the same as either the first or second length and a width that is at least the same as either the first or second width, and the membrane having a first major surface and a second major surface; and wherein the membrane is bonded to each of the first layer and the second layer by a polydimethylsiloxane mortar film having a thickness ranging from about 2 microns to about 3 microns, and wherein the membrane is configured to have a layer of first cells disposed on the first major surface of the membrane facing the first microfluidic channel or a layer of first cells disposed on the second major surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the membrane for culturing cells is semi-permeable and is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and second layer comprise the same material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane for culturing cells comprises a material selected from a polycarbonate, a polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, a mixed cellulose ester, PDMS and a combination of two or more thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane for culturing cells is in fluid communication with one or both of the first and second layers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are in an offset arrangement and the offset arrangement creates a plurality of sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are in a parallel arrangement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane for culturing cells is coupled to the first layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane for culturing cells is adapted to culture a plurality of cell lines. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cells are endothelial cells or tumor cells. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a layer of second cells disposed on a surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first cells are endothelial cells and the second cells are smooth muscle cells or tumor cells. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first width is 350 microns and the second width is 1,000 microns. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a treatment agent provided in one of the first and second microfluidic channels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the treatment agent is tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNT-a). ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tracer molecule provided in one of the first and second microfluidic channels. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the tracer molecule is one or a combination of fluorescent FITC sodium salt and FITC-Dextran. ### Claim 18 An electrode-free apparatus comprising: a first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel forming a first flow direction, the first microfluidic channel having a first height of about 100 microns a first width of about 350 microns as measured perpendicular to the first flow direction; a second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel forming a second flow direction, the second microfluidic channel having a second height of about 100 microns and a second width of about 1,000 microns as measured perpendicular to the second flow direction; a membrane for culturing cells, the membrane having a first major surface and a second major surface, the membrane comprising pores extending between the first and second major surfaces, whereby the membrane has an average pore density of about 1.5×107 pores/cm2; and a layer of first cells disposed on the first major surface of the membrane facing the first microfluidic channel or a layer of first cells disposed on the second major surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel; wherein the first microfluidic channel overlaps the second microfluidic channel at an intersection point, and at the intersection point the first flow direction is perpendicular to the second flow direction. ### Claim 19 An electrode-free apparatus comprising: a first layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel having a first height of about 100 microns, a first length, and a first width of about 350 microns, the first width being uniform along the first length of the first microfluidic channel; a second layer formed of polydimethylsiloxane, the second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel having a second height of about 100 microns, a second length, and a second width of about 1,000 microns, the second width being uniform along the second length of the second microfluidic channel, the second width being wider than the first width; a membrane for culturing cells, the membrane having a length that is at least the same as either the first or second length and a width that is at least the same as either the first or second width, and the membrane having a first major surface and a second major surface, the membrane comprising pores extending between the first and second major surfaces, whereby the membrane has an average pore density of about 1.5×107 pores/cm2; and wherein the membrane is bonded to each of the first layer and the second layer by a polydimethylsiloxane mortar film having a thickness ranging from about 2 microns to about 3 microns, and wherein the membrane is configured to have a layer of first cells disposed on the first major surface of the membrane facing the first microfluidic channel or a layer of first cells disposed on the second major surface of the membrane facing the second microfluidic channel.