US 2023/0147702 A1 · MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS AND MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS USING THE SAME

Abstract

Described herein is a microfluidic chip comprising a first channel in fluid communication with an adjacent second channel through a opening, wherein the height of the first channel and the second channel are chosen to generate sufficient surface tension at the opening such that a liquid injected into the first channel or the second channel is substantially confined within the first channel or the second channel, respectively, or that flow of the liquid therebetween is controlled, the surface tension producing a non-physical microfluidic barrier that limits or selectively controls passage of the liquid. Also described are in vitro microphysiological systems that use such microfluidic chips in modeling the structure and functions of human organs, such as a blood-brain barrier, and studying in vivo-like physiological responses of such organs to various investigative or therapeutic agents.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A microfluidic chip, comprising:

a planar surface;
a first channel formed on the planar surface and having a first volume defined by a first width, a first height, and a first length, the first channel extending in a first direction;
and
a second channel formed on the planar surface adjacent to the first channel, the second channel having a second volume defined by a second width, a second height, and a second length, the second channel extending in the first direction, the second height being greater than the first height;
wherein the first channel is in fluid communication with the second channel through a first opening that extends along at least a portion of the first length, wherein the first opening extends from the planar surface to the first height;
and
wherein the first height and the second height are selected such that surface tension of a liquid added to either the first channel or the second channel provides a non-physical microfluidic barrier that selectively limits passage of the liquid through the first opening.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microfluidic chips and microphysiological systems using the same

Life of this patent

Microfluidic chips and microphysiological systems using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28