Microgels and microtissues for use in tissue engineering
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsSangeeta N. Bhatia, Cheri Y. Li
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Abstract
The present invention features microgels and microtissues for use in tissue engineering. Featured is a microencapsulation device for making microgels and/or microtissues via an emulsion technology. Also featured are methods of making higher ordered structures that mimic in vivo tissue structures. Methods of us are also featured.
Claims25
-27. (canceled)
A method of making a plurality of microtissue, comprising injecting into a channel of a microfluidic device a solution of cells and a prepolymerized hydrogel solution to form a mixture;
- emulsifying the mixture of cells and polymerizable hydrogel in a first region of the channel of the microfluidic device, to produce droplets comprising the cells in the polymerizable hydrogel, mixing said droplets to disperse the cells in the polymerizable hydrogel in a second region of the channel in the microfluidic device;
- polymerizing the droplets comprising the cells dispersed in the polymerizable hydrogel to form the microtissues;
- and
- collecting the microtissues from an outlet of the device,
- such that the plurality of microtissues is made.
A method of making a plurality of microtissues, comprising injecting into a channel of a microfluidic device a solution comprising pre-stabilized, micropatterned cell clusters and a prepolymerized hydrogel solution, wherein the cell clusters comprise parenchymal cells and supporting nonparenchymal cells;
- emulsifying the solution of cell clusters and polymerizable hydrogel in a channel of the microfluidic device, to produce droplets comprising the cells in the polymerizable hydrogel,
- polymerizing the droplets comprising the cells dispersed in the polymerizable hydrogel to form the microtissues;
- and
- collecting the microtissues from an outlet of the device,
- such that the plurality of microtissues is made.
A microencapsulation device comprising one or more injection ports in contact with a microchannel comprised therein, said injection ports for introducing one or more aqueous solutions, a droplet generating nozzle into which said solutions flow, an emulsion stream in contact with said droplet generating nozzle, a mixer section for dispersing components of droplets, a polymerizing section, and an outlet.
A microencapsulation device as depicted in FIG. 2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.