US 8,647,861 B2 · Organ mimic device with microchannels and methods of use and manufacturing thereof

Abstract

System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An organomimetic device comprising:

a body having a central microchannel therein;
and
an at least partially porous membrane positioned within the central microchannel and along a plane, the membrane configured to separate the central microchannel to form a first central microchannel and a second central microchannel, wherein a first fluid is applied through the first central microchannel and a second fluid is applied through the second central microchannel, the membrane coated with at least one attachment molecule that supports adhesion of a plurality of living cells wherein the porous membrane is at least partially flexible, the device further comprising:
a first operating channel separated the first and second central microchannels by a first microchannel wall, wherein the membrane is fixed to the first chamber microchannel wall;
and wherein applying a pressure to the first operating channel causes the membrane to flex in a first desired direction to expand or contract along the plane within the first and second central microchannels.

2 more elements

A method for determining an effect of at least one agent in a tissue system with physiological or pathological mechanical force, the method comprising:

selecting a device having a body, the body including an at least partially porous and at least partially flexible membrane positioned along a plane within a central microchannel to partition the central microchannel into a first central microchannel and a second central microchannel, at least one operating channel separated from the first and second central microchannels by a microchannel wall, wherein the membrane is fixed to the microchannel wall;
contacting the membrane with at least one layer of cells on a first side of the membrane and at least one layer of cells on a second side of the porous membrane thereby forming a tissue structure comprising at least two different types of cells;
contacting the tissue structure comprising at least two different types of cells with the at least one agent in an applicable cell culture medium;
applying uniform or non-uniform force on the cells for a time period;
and
measuring a response of the cells in the tissue structure comprising at least two different types of cells to determine the effect of the at least one agent on the cells.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Organ mimic device with microchannels and methods of use and manufacturing thereof

Life of this patent

Organ mimic device with microchannels and methods of use and manufacturing thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21