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.
Claims23
A population of microtissues produced by a method comprising injecting into a channel of a microfluidic device a first input stream comprising a solution of cells and a second input stream comprising a polymerizable hydrogel solution to form a combined aqueous stream;
- emulsifying the combined aqueous stream with an emulsion stream 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 comprising a serpentine section 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 population of microtissues is made.
A population of microtissues produced by a method comprising injecting into a channel of a microfluidic device a solution comprising pre-stabilized, micropatterned cell clusters and a polymerizable hydrogel solution, wherein the cell clusters comprise parenchymal cells and supporting nonparenchymal cells;
- emulsifying the solution of cell clusters and polymerizable hydrogel with an emulsion stream 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, wherein polymerizing occurs during transport of the droplets, wherein transport occurs continuously;
- and
- collecting the microtissues from an outlet of the device, such that the population of microtis sues 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.