# US 2022/0033757 A1 · Open-top microfluidic device with structural anchors

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- Number: US 2022/0033757 A1
- Document ID: US20220033757A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/494,221
- Filed: 2021-10-05
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-04
- Assignees: Emulate, Inc.
- Applicants: Emulate, Inc.
- Inventors: Daniel Levner; Christopher David Hinojosa; Norman Wen; Antonio Varone; Justin Nguyen; Lina Williamson; S. Jordan Kerns; Catherine Karalis; Geraldine Hamilton; Carol Lucchesi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033757A1

## CPC

- B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces}
- C12M 35/04: {Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli}
- B01L 3/502761: {specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads or physically stretching molecules}
- C12M 23/16: {Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes (integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093)}
- C12M 23/38: {Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means}
- C12M 25/02: {Membranes; Filters (filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00)}
- C12M 35/08: {Chemical, biochemical or biological means, e.g. plasma jet, co-culture}
- C12N 5/0619: {Neurons}
- C12N 5/0622: {Glial cells, e.g. astrocytes, oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells}
- C12N 5/0629: {Keratinocytes; Whole skin}
- C12N 5/0656: {Adult fibroblasts}
- C12N 5/0688: {Cells from the lungs or the respiratory tract}
- C12N 5/069: {Vascular Endothelial cells}
- C12N 5/0697: {Artificial constructs associating cells of different lineages, e.g. tissue equivalents (blood vessels C12N5/0691)}
- C12N 5/0698: {Skin equivalents}
- G01N 33/50: Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing (measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, compositions or test papers therefor; processes for forming such compositions, condition responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes C12Q)
- G01N 33/5082: {Supracellular entities, e.g. tissue, organisms}
- G01N 33/54366: {Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing}
- B01L 2200/0668: Trapping microscopic beads
- B01L 2300/0645: Electrodes
- B01L 2300/0681: Filter
- B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure
- C12N 2501/165: Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- 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}
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-46. (canceled)

### Claim 47

A microfluidic device, comprising i) a chamber with a lumen and a fluidic cover comprising a microfluidic channel, ii) a membrane below said chamber, wherein said fluidic cover is configured to removably cover and close said chamber.

### Claim 48 (depends on 47)

The microfluidic device of claim 47, wherein said membrane is a porous membrane.

### Claim 49 (depends on 47)

The microfluidic device of claim 47, wherein said chamber comprises cells.

### Claim 50 (depends on 47)

The microfluidic device of claim 47, wherein said chamber comprises a gel.

### Claim 51 (depends on 47)

The microfluidic device of claim 47, wherein said chamber is configured for fluid flow.

### Claim 52 (depends on 47)

The microfluidic device of claim 47, wherein said chamber is circular.

### Claim at position 8

53-60. (canceled)