Interconnect Adaptor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016136646-A1
Application number	US-201414899106-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 26, 2014
Priority date	Jun 26, 2013
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An interconnect adaptor for connecting a microfluidic device to a fluidic system. The interconnect adapter includes a base substrate and a nozzle array. The base substrate includes a first side and a second side. The nozzle array includes two or more nozzles extending away from the base substrate. Each nozzle includes an opening with a channel extending therefrom. The channels are configured to transport fluid between the microfluidic device and the fluidic system. Each of the nozzles is configured to be inserted into a respective hole in the microfluidic device, in some embodiments, the insertion forms a radially sealed connection between each nozzle and respective hole when the nozzles are inserted a predetermined distance into the respective holes.

First claim

1 . An interconnect adaptor for connecting a microfluidic device to a fluidic system, the interconnect adaptor comprising:
a base substrate having a first side; and a nozzle array including two or more nozzles, the nozzle array being located on the first side of the base substrate, the two or more nozzles extending away from the base substrate, each of the nozzles including an opening with a channel extending therefrom, the channels being configured to transport fluid between the microfluidic device and the fluidic system, each of the nozzles being configured for insertion into a respective hole in the microfluidic device, the insertion forming a radially sealed connection between each nozzle and the respective hole in response to the nozzles being inserted into the respective holes.

2 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the base substrate is comprised of a rigid material.

3 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the fluidic system is a cartridge containing a plurality of cartridge fluid channels, and a second side of the base substrate is disposed on a surface of the cartridge.

4 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 3 , wherein a second side of the base substrate is bonded with the surface of the cartridge.

5 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 3 wherein the base substrate is a part of the cartridge.

6 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the interconnect adaptor further comprises a second nozzle array including two or more nozzles, the second nozzle array being located on a second side of the base substrate, the two or more nozzles of the second nozzle array extending away from the base substrate, each of the nozzles of the second nozzle array including a second opening operatively coupled to the openings of the first nozzle array, each of the nozzles of the second nozzle array being configured to be inserted into a respective hole in the fluidic system.

7 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein each nozzle has an outer diameter that is greater than a greatest dimension of the respective hole of the microfluidic device.

8 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are comprised of an elastomeric material.

9 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein one of the nozzles serves as an inlet and delivers the fluid to the microfluidic device, and another of the nozzles serves as an outlet and receives the fluid from the microfluidic device.

10 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , further comprising at least one alignment feature on the first side or on a second side opposing the first side.

11 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles include end portions that are tapered to reduce the accumulation of bubbles.

12 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle array include nozzles forming a lock-and-key arrangement such that the nozzles can be inserted into the respective holes of only certain microfluidic devices that satisfy a predetermined criterion.

13 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device is an organ-chip having a porous membrane with cells on at least one surface of the porous membrane, the transport fluid from at least one nozzle of the interconnect adaptor provides nutrients to the cells.

14 . An interconnect adaptor for connecting a fluidic system to a compatible microfluidic device, the interconnect adaptor comprising:
a base substrate having a first side; and a nozzle array including two or more nozzles, the nozzle array being located on the first side of the base substrate, the two or more nozzles extending away from the base substrate, each of the nozzles including an opening with a channel extending therefrom, the channels being configured to transport fluid between the compatible microfluidic device and the fluidic system, each of the nozzles being configured to be inserted into a respective hole in the compatible microfluidic device, the nozzles of the nozzle array forming a lock-and-key arrangement such that the nozzles can be inserted into the respective holes of only microfluidic devices that satisfy a predetermined criterion, the lock-and-key arrangement including at least first nozzle having a first characteristic and at least second nozzle having a second characteristic, the second characteristic being different from the first characteristic.

15 - 16 . (canceled)

17 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 14 , wherein the first and second characteristics are associated with one of the group consisting of different shapes, different sizes, different resilience, different sealing features, and different orientation relative to a surface.

18 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined criterion is based on flow rate of the microfluidic device.

19 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined criterion is based on pressure of the microfluidic device.

20 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined criterion is based on the functionality of the microfluidic device.

21 . The interconnect adaptor of claim 20 , wherein the microfluidic device is an organ chip having a porous membrane with cells on at least one surface of the porous membrane, the transport fluid from at least one nozzle of the interconnect adaptor provides nutrients to the cells.

22 . A microfluidic system for connection to a fluidic system, comprising:
an interconnect adaptor including a base substrate and a nozzle array extending away from a first side of the base substrate, the nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles, each of the nozzles including a fluid channel, the fluid channels being configured to transport fluid associated with the fluidic system, the nozzle array including an inlet nozzle for transporting the fluid from the fluidic system and an outlet nozzle for transporting the fluid back to the fluidic system; and a microfluidic device including a microchannel at least partially defined by a porous membrane having cells on at least one surface thereof, each of the nozzles being inserted into a respective hole in the microfluidic device, the inlet nozzle being inserted into an inlet hole in the microfluidic device and delivering the fluid to the cells within the microchannel, the outlet nozzle being inserted into an outlet hole in the microfluidic device and receiving the fluid from the microchannel, the inlet and outlet nozzles forming a sealed connection with the inlet and outlet holes, respectively, in response to the insertion of the inlet and outlet nozzles.

Assignees

• Harvard College

Inventors

• Ingber Donald E
• Hinojosa Christopher David
• Levner Daniel
• Resnikoff Josh Isaac Nielsen
• Thompson Iii Guy

Classifications

• C12M23/40

  Manifolds; Distribution pieces (fluid transfer means B01L3/563) · CPC title

• B01L2200/025

  Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other · CPC title

• B01J2219/00988

  Leakage · CPC title

• B01L2200/027

  for microfluidic devices · CPC title

• B01L2300/047

  Additional chamber, reservoir · CPC title