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US 12,680,065 B2Granted
Artificial placenta and methods of preparation
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsDongeun Huh, Cassidy Blundell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidic device that can simulate capillary blood flow on a fetal side of the device and pooled blood on a maternal side of the device (i.e., intervillous space). The microfluidic device can reconstitute the maternal-fetal interface, can expand the capabilities of cell culture models, and can provide an alternative to current maternal-fetal transfer models.
Claims20
A microfluidic device comprising:
- a base, having first and second microfluidic channels disposed thereon;
- a membrane disposed between the first and second microfluidic channels such that the first and second microfluidic channels are adapted for fluidic communication through the membrane, the membrane having a first side and a second side;
- a first population of cells of a first cell type encapsulated in a first hydrogel disposed on the first side of the membrane;
- and
- a second population of cells of a second cell type encapsulated in a second hydrogel disposed on the second side of the membrane, wherein the second cell type is differentiated into syncytial structures.
2 more elements
A method of fabricating a microfluidic device comprising:
- fabricating a base, the base having first and second microfluidic channels disposed thereon;
- disposing a membrane between the first and second microfluidic channels such that the first and second microfluidic channels are adapted for fluidic communication through the membrane, the membrane having a first side and a second side;
- growing a first population of cells of a first cell type within a first hydrogel disposed on the first side of the membrane;
- and
- growing a second population of cells of a second cell type within a second hydrogel disposed on the second side of the membrane,
- wherein the second cell type is differentiated into syncytial structures.
3 more elements
A method of measuring an amount of a substance of interest, comprising:
- providing a microfluidic device having
- a base, having first and second microfluidic channels deposed thereon;
- a membrane disposed between the first and second microfluidic channels such that the first and second microfluidic channels are adapted for fluidic communication through the membrane, the membrane having a first side and a second side;
- a first population of cells of a first cell type encapsulated in a first hydrogel disposed on the first side of the membrane;
- and
- a second population of cells of a second cell type encapsulated in a second hydrogel disposed on the second side of the membrane, wherein the second cell type is differentiated into syncytial structures;
- placing the substance of interest in one of the first or second microfluidic channels;
- simulating physiological flow conditions;
- and
- measuring the amount of the substance of interest in the first and second microfluidic channels.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.