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US 2021/0339242 A1Published application
Microfluidic device with embedded cell culture chambers for high throughput biological assays
AssigneesBoard of Regents of the University of Nebraska, University of Connecticut
InventorsRuiguo Yang, Arian Jaberi, Amir Monemian Esfahani, Ali Tamayol
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Abstract
Microfluidic gradient generators that can create robust platforms that can not only be used for creating co-cultures of cells with various ratios, but also can simultaneously generate gradients of mechanical and chemical stresses. A chip utilizes microchambers embedded within channels to provide space for 3D cell culture and exposes these cells to gradients of mechanical shear stress and a chemical treatment.
Claims21
A microfluidic gradient generator apparatus, comprising:
- a substrate comprising a plurality of microchannels and a plurality of microchambers formed therein,
- each of the plurality of microchambers including a first end and a second end and configured to permit fluid to flow from the first end to the second end,
- at least one of the first end or the second end of each of the plurality of microchambers being coupled to at least one of the plurality of microchannels,
- each of the plurality of microchannels and each of the plurality of microchambers being fluidly coupled to an inlet and an outlet such that fluid containing a material that is introduced at the inlet flows through at least one of the plurality of microchannels and at least one of the plurality of microchambers to the outlet,
- the plurality of microchannels and the plurality of microchambers on the substrate being configured so as to form a gradient of the material within the fluid.
2 more elements
A method for generating a microfluidic gradient, comprising:
- providing a substrate comprising a plurality of microchannels and a plurality of microchambers formed therein,
- each of the plurality of microchambers including a first end and a second end and configured to permit fluid to flow from the first end to the second end,
- at least one of the first end or the second end of each of the plurality of microchambers being coupled to at least one of the plurality of microchannels, and
- each of the plurality of microchannels and each of the plurality of microchambers being fluidly coupled to an inlet and an outlet;
- introducing a fluid containing a material at the inlet such that the fluid flows through at least one of the plurality of microchannels and at least one of the plurality of microchambers to the outlet;
- and
- forming a gradient of the material within the fluid within the plurality of microchannels and the plurality of microchambers on the substrate.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.