Back to results
US 2023/0399601 A1Published application
Microfluidic devices and methods for denudation of cells
AssigneeOverture Life, Inc.
InventorsLionel MATTHYS, Joana Alexandra SALES FIDALGO, Pablo CARASA RUIZ, Javier GUERRERO SANCHEZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are microfluidic devices and methods for denudation of biological materials, such as oocytes and embryos. For example, the devices and methods achieve separation of oocytes from surrounding cumulus cells in a fully automated manner and without manual intervention. The devices can facilitate continuous uni-directional fluid flow, as well as a bi-directional fluid flow mechanism that closely mimics manual methods.
Claims70
A device comprising:
- (a) a well configured to receive a cell and a fluid at an open upper end, wherein the well is fluidically connected to an outlet channel, wherein the well comprises the open upper end, a lower base, a well outlet, a perimeter, and a denudation cavity;
- (b) the outlet channel configured to expel the fluid from the well through the well outlet, wherein the outlet channel comprises an outlet channel inlet and an outlet channel outlet;
- and
- (c) the denudation cavity configured to denude the cell, wherein the denudation cavity protrudes from the perimeter of the well towards the outlet channel.
1 more element
A method for denuding a cell, the method comprising:
- (a) filling a well of a device with a fluid,
- wherein the device comprises:
- the well configured to receive the cell and the fluid at an open upper end, wherein the well is fluidically connected to an outlet channel, wherein the well comprises the open upper end, a lower base, a well outlet, and a denudation cavity;
- the outlet channel configured to expel the fluid from the well through the well outlet, wherein the outlet channel comprises an outlet channel inlet and an outlet channel outlet;
- and
- the denudation cavity configured to denude the cell, wherein the denudation cavity protrudes from the perimeter of the well towards the outlet channel;
- (b) introducing into the upper end of the well the cell;
- and
- (c) alternatively applying negative pressure and positive pressure within the device to generate a bi-directional flow of the fluid between the well and the outlet channel to transport the cell in and out of the denudation cavity, thereby denuding the cell.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.