Multiwell dynamic model for a tumor-immune microenvironment

A microfluidic device, comprising:

• a well plate comprising a plurality of wells, the well plate defining a plurality of microenvironment units fluidically coupled with the plurality of wells, each microenvironment unit comprising:
• one or more compartments;
• and
• a trapping feature positioned within a compartment of the one or more compartments,
• the trapping feature comprises a first portion of a first sidewall of the compartment and a second portion of a second sidewall of the compartment, opposite the first portion of the first sidewall, wherein the first portion the first sidewall and the second portion of the second sidewall are tapered to reduce a cross-sectional area of the compartment, wherein the trapping feature is configured to restrict movement of a tissue sample introduced into the compartment and to allow fluid to flow through the compartment as least around the tissue sample;
• and
• a plurality of micropumps each configured to control movement of a fluid sample through a respective well of the plurality of wells.

A method, comprising:

• introducing a tissue sample into each microenvironment unit of a plurality of microenvironment units defined by a well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein each microenvironment unit comprises:
• one or more compartments;
• and
• a mechanical trapping feature positioned within a compartment of the one or more compartments, the mechanical trapping feature extends away from a floor of the compartment of the one or more compartments into the compartment to reduce a cross-sectional area of the compartment, wherein the mechanical trapping feature is configured to restrict movement of a tissue sample introduced into the one or more compartments and to allow fluid to flow through the compartment as least around a portion of the tissue sample;
• controlling a plurality of micropumps each coupled with a respective well of the plurality of wells to control movement of a respective fluid sample through the respective wells, wherein each of the respective wells is fluidically coupled with at least one of the plurality of microenvironment units;
• and
• providing an optical interface to observe an interaction between the tissue sample of a first microenvironment unit and the fluid sample introduced into a first well of the plurality of wells.

A method, comprising:

• introducing a tissue sample into each microenvironment unit of a plurality of microenvironment units defined by a well plate having a plurality of wells, wherein each microenvironment unit comprises:
• one or more compartments;
• and
• a trapping feature positioned within a compartment of the one or more compartments, the trapping feature comprising a first portion of a first sidewall of the compartment and a second portion of a second sidewall of the compartment, opposite the first portion of the first sidewall, wherein the first portion the first sidewall and the second portion of the second sidewall are tapered to reduce a cross-sectional area of the compartment, wherein the trapping feature is configured to restrict movement of a tissue sample introduced into the compartment and to allow fluid to flow through the compartment as least around the tissue sample;
• controlling a plurality of micropumps each coupled with a respective well of the plurality of wells to control movement of a respective fluid sample through the respective wells, wherein each of the respective wells is fluidically coupled with at least one of the plurality of microenvironment units;
• and
• providing an optical interface to observe an interaction between the tissue sample of a first microenvironment unit and the fluid sample introduced into a first well of the plurality of wells.