Systems and methods for improved performance of fluidic and microfluidic systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017121658-A1
Application number	US-201715403942-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 11, 2017
Priority date	Jul 14, 2014
Publication date	May 4, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for monitoring a biological function associated with cells, comprising:
a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the membrane having the cells adhered thereto; a fluid line for delivering a working fluid to or from the first microchannel from or to, respectively, a fluid reservoir; and a fluid-resistance element coupled to the fluid line, the fluid-resistance element comprising a substrate having an elongated fluid path, thereby having a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir includes the working fluid and a pressurized gas, the pressurized gas forcing the flow of the working fluid through the fluid line and fluid-resistance element.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises a chip having an elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises an elongated tube having an elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the tube undergoes multiple windings so as to create said elongated path.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further including a pump mechanism to apply pressure to a gas within the fluid reservoir, thereby creating a pressurized gas.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the gas is substantially insoluble in the working fluid.

8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the gas is a mixture of gases, the mixture including a gas that is substantially insoluble in the working fluid.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fluidic resistance is at least about 100 times greater than the second fluidic resistance.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir includes an elongated fluid path, the elongated fluid path being configured to store the working fluid therein.

11 . A device for monitoring a biological function associated with cells, comprising:
a body having a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the membrane having the cells adhered thereto; the body further defining an internal fluid-resistance element coupled to the first microchannel, the internal fluid-resistance element comprising a substrate having an elongated fluid path, thereby having a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the first fluidic resistance is at least about 100 times greater than the second fluidic resistance.

13 . A system for monitoring a biological function associated with cells, comprising:
a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the membrane having the cells adhered thereto; a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas; a pump mechanism in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas; and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel, the fluid-resistance element comprising a substrate having an elongated fluid path, thereby having a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises a chip having an elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises an elongated tube having an elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the tube undergoes multiple windings so as to create said elongated path.

17 . The system of claim 13 , further including a pressure sensor within the fluid reservoir, the pump mechanism being actuated in response to a predetermined output from the pressure sensor.

18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid resistance element is located upstream of the first microchannel.

19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid resistance element is located downstream from the first microchannel.

20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first fluidic resistance is at least about 100 times greater than the second fluidic resistance.

Assignees

• Harvard College

Inventors

• Hinojosa Christopher David
• Sliz Josiah
• Levner Daniel
• Thompson Guy
• Geisler Hubert
• Fernandez-Alcon Jose
• Ingber Donald E

Classifications

• B01L3/502746

  characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles or throttle valves · CPC title

• B01L2400/086

  using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions · CPC title

• B01L3/502715

  characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces · CPC title

• C12M23/16 Primary

  Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes (integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093) · CPC title

• C12M41/00

  Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation (controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N) · CPC title