Open-top microfluidic device with structural anchors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10961496-B2
Application number	US-201615781370-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 2, 2016
Priority date	Dec 4, 2015
Publication date	Mar 30, 2021
Grant date	Mar 30, 2021

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
a) providing a microfluidic device for cell culture comprising
i) an open-top cavity said cavity comprising ii) a gel matrix secured by structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces, said gel matrix positioned above iii) a porous membrane, said membrane positioned above one or more iv) microfluidic channels and v) an actuation mechanism attached to the microfluidic device, said open-top cavity comprising vi) at least one open region in an open-top structure configured to allow direct access to the gel matrix and the membrane; and

b) stretching said gel matrix with the actuation mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gel matrix has a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said stretching is uniform across the thickness of the gel.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said stretching causes the entire gel matrix to expand.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said gel matrix comprises cells.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said cells comprise lung cells.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said actuation device mechanism is a mechanical engaging device.

8. A method comprising:
a) providing a microfluidic device for cell culture comprising i) an open-top cavity said cavity comprising ii) a gel matrix secured by structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces, said gel matrix positioned above iii) a porous membrane, said membrane positioned above one or more iv) microfluidic channels, said open-top cavity comprising v) at least one open region in an open-top structure configured to allow direct access to the gel matrix and the membrane; and
b) closing said open-top cavity with a removable lid.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising;
c) removing the lid; and
d) introducing cells to the gel matrix.

Assignees

• Emulate Inc

Inventors

• Levner Daniel
• Hinojosa Christopher David
• Wen Norman
• Varone Antonio
• Nguyen Justin
• Williamson Lina
• Kerns S Jordan
• Karalis Catherine
• Hamilton Geraldine
• Lucchesi Carol

Classifications

• G01N33/5008

  for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics · CPC title

• G01N33/5005

  involving human or animal cells (immunoassay G01N33/56966; immunoassays of protozoa G01N33/56905; protozoa in screening assays C12Q1/025) · CPC title

• C12M3/04 Primary

  with means providing thin layers · CPC title

• B01L3/5027

  by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip · CPC title

• G01N33/54366

  Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing · CPC title