# US 12,760,255 B2 · Microfluidic platform for enabling cell culturing in a three dimensional microenvironment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,255 B2 - Document ID: US12760255B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/623,265 - Filed: 2020-06-17 - Published: 2022-11-17 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-28 - Assignees: Koc Universitesi; Istanbul Teknik Universitesi - Applicants: Koc Universitesi; Istanbul Teknik Universitesi - Inventors: Alper Kiraz; Kemal Baysal; Ahmet C Erten; Berna Morova; Ateeq Ur Rehman; Umut Can Coskun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760255B2 ## CPC - C12M 23/16: {Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes (integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093)} - B01L 3/502746: {characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles or throttle valves} - C12M 23/34: {Internal compartments or partitions} - B01L 2300/0867: Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution - B01L 2300/0874: Three dimensional network - C12N 2533/54: Collagen; Gelatin - 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} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract A three dimensional (3D) microfluidic cartridge suitable for reproduction of cells in the 3D microfluidic cartridge and for observing an angiogenesis process is provided. The 3D microfluidic cartridge includes a side area, wherein a height of the side area is greater than a height of central area. With the 3D microfluidic cartridge, a 3D cell culture is carried out, tumor spheroids are formed in the 3D microfluidic cartridge, and angiogenesis potentials of the tumor spheroids are measured. Further, responses of endothelial cells against angiogenic or antiangiogenic effects of various small molecules, drugs, and protein therapeutics are measured in the 3D microfluidic cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microfluidic platform for reproduction of cells in the microfluidic platform, comprising at least one central area for receiving a solution in the at least one central area, wherein the at least one central area comprises at least one first feeding channel for feeding the solution, at least two side areas provided mutually on opposite sides of the at least one central area, each one of the at least two side areas has at least one second feeding channel for feeding a material, wherein one of the at least two side areas comprises three or more pockets suitable for accumulation of tumor cells and reproduction of tumor spheroids, a height of one side area of the at least two side areas is greater than a height of the at least one central area, the insides of the at least one central area and the at least two side areas are primarily filled with air such that a solution fed into the at least one central area reaches the at least two side areas, and then ends its progress due to the surface tension and capillary effect when it meets air therein, and therefore does not overflow the at least two side areas; and the at least one central area is treated with poly-D-lysine (PDL). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microfluidic platform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one central area has at least one protrusion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microfluidic platform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one central area has the solution containing one, several, or all of natural, biocompatible macromolecules, wherein the natural, biocompatible macromolecules are collagen, fibrin or gelatin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The microfluidic platform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one central area has the solution containing at least one synthetic macromolecule. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microfluidic platform according to claim 1, wherein the microfluidic platform is produced with a hot pressing or an injection molding method. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The microfluidic platform according to claim 2, wherein the at least one central area has the solution containing at least one synthetic macromolecule. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The microfluidic platform according to claim 3, wherein the at least one central area has the solution containing at least one synthetic macromolecule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The microfluidic platform according to claim 2, wherein the microfluidic platform is produced with a hot pressing or an injection molding method. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A mold suitable for a production of the microfluidic platform according to claim 1, comprising at least one base, at least one central area protrusion for forming the at least one central area of the microfluidic platform on the at least one base, at least one first feeding channel protrusion for forming the at least one first feeding channel connected to the at least one central area, at least one side area protrusion for forming the at least two side areas, and at least one second feeding channel protrusion for forming the at least one second feeding channel connected to one of the at least two side areas wherein one of the at least two side areas comprises three or more pockets for reproduction of tumor spheroids, and the at least one side area protrusion has three or more pocket protrusions for forming the three or more pockets on the one of the at least two side areas. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A production method for producing the microfluidic platform according to claim 1, comprising the following steps of: pouring polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on a mold to obtain a poured material, wherein the mold comprises at least one base, at least one central area protrusion for forming the at least one central area of the microfluidic platform on the at least one base, at least one first feeding channel protrusion for forming the at least one first feeding channel connected to the at least one central area, at least one side area protrusion for forming the at least two side areas, and at least one second feeding channel protrusion for forming the at least one second feeding channel connected to one of the at least two side areas, treating the poured material at a predetermined time period and temperature to obtain a treated material, removing the treated material from the mold to obtain a removed material, covering the removed material with another material coated with poly-D-lysine (PDL), treating the at least one central area with the PDL. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The production method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one central area wherein the solution contains one, several, or all of natural, biocompatible macromolecules, wherein the natural, biocompatible macromolecules are collagen, fibrin or gelatin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The production method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one central area wherein the solution contains at least one synthetic macromolecule.