Organ on chip integration and applications of the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9874285-B2
Application number	US-201314646300-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 20, 2013
Priority date	Oct 7, 2010
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects includes one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules. Each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a respective bio-object, and includes one or more on-chip pumps; a plurality of fluidic switches; and a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, having at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the at least one chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, and a power and control unit adapted for selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing bio-object microfluidics functions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects, each bio-object including an organ, a tissue construct, or a group of cells, comprising: one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules, each integrated bio-object microfluidics module configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a bio-object, comprising:
(a) one or more on-chip pumps;
(b) a plurality of fluidic switches;
(c) a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, comprising at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches; and
(d) a power and control unit programmed to selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing one or more bio-object microfluidics functions;

wherein the one or more on-chip pumps comprise a rotary planar peristaltic micropump (RPPM), wherein each of the plurality of fluidic switches comprises a rotary planar valve (RPV).

2. The platform of claim 1 , wherein each integrated bio-object microfluidics module further comprises a reservoir having one or more ports for providing a plurality of solutions.

3. The platform of claim 2 , wherein each integrated bio-object microfluidics module further comprises one imaging unit for operable evaluation of a respective bio-object.

4. The platform of claim 2 , wherein each integrated bio-object microfluidics module further comprises at least one bubble trap coupled to at least one of the plurality of fluidic paths for removing bubbles therefrom.

5. The platform of claim 2 , wherein the power and control unit comprises a microcontroller, a sensor array, and a power supply.

6. The platform of claim 1 , wherein the one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules comprise a plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics modules spatially arranged in an array.

7. The platform of claim 6 , further comprising fluidic interconnects and nodes for connecting each of the plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics modules to one another, wherein the plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics modules is mechanically and fluidically interconnected to each other in series, in parallel, or in a combination of both in the array.

8. The platform of claim 7 , wherein the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules is movable as a unit by utilizing a transporting means.

9. The platform of claim 8 , wherein the fluidic and mechanical connections between the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules are flexible, and wherein the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules is aligned in a straight line or in a curved line.

10. The platform of claim 9 , further comprising:
(a) a propulsion unit for applying a bidirectional traction force collinear with the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules;
(b) a support module connected between the propulsion unit and the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules; and
(c) a specialized module connected to the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules to define a train-based interconnect platform that is movably disposed on the transporting means, wherein the train-based interconnect platform is configurable and interchangeable.

11. The platform of claim 10 , further comprising a station having a base, and one or more subsystems fixed on the base at predetermined positions, wherein the station is placed in relation to the transporting means such that when the train-based interconnect platform is moved at the predetermined positions, the one or more subsystems perform desired operations on the linear array of the plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics, wherein the desired operations on the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules comprise performing at least one of analytical functions, mechanical functions, maintenance functions, fluid handling, microscopy, removal of one integrated bio-object microfluidics module, and replacement of one integrated bio-object microfluidics module with another on the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules.

12. The platform of claim 11 , wherein the transporting means on which the train-based interconnect platform moves comprises a guideway including a pair of parallel tracks, a central monorail, a lateral rail, a guiding channel, or an overhead conveyor system, for moving the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules past the station or into or out of an incubator or container.

13. The platform of claim 12 , wherein the guideway further comprises one or more branched tracks placed in relation to the pair of closed tracks, with switches placed between the pair of closed tracks and each branched track, for switching all or parts of the array of the integrated bio-object microfluidics modules to desired locations.

14. The platform of claim 13 , wherein the transporting means further comprises a rotary turntable coupled between the pair of closed tracks and at least one of the one or more branched tracks for inserting propulsion units onto selected locations of the guideway, thereby allowing an automated assembly of module arrays of a desired configuration.

15. The platform of claim 8 , wherein the transporting means comprises wheels, air bearings, roller bearings, low-friction pads, or desired mechanisms on each integrated bio-object microfluidics module to ensure the required linear displacement without undue stresses on the mechanical or fluidic connections.

16. The platform of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics modules comprises at least one of an integrated brain module, an integrated lung module, an integrated heart module, an integrated liver module, an integrated stomach module, an integrated kidney module, an integrated gut module, an integrated testis module, and an integrated skin module.

17. The platform of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of integrated bio-object microfluidics modules further comprises at least one of an integrated Perfusion Controller (PC) module for perfusing the bio-object maintained on the microfluidics chip, an integrated MicroClinical Analyzer (μCA) module for analyzing activities of the bio-object maintained on the microfluidics chip, and an integrated MicroFormulator (μF) module for providing desired substances to cultivate, maintain, and/or analyze the bio-object maintained on the microfluidics chip.

18. The platform of claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller of each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is provided with at least one of a wireless communication protocol and a wired communication protocol, to form a network such that each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is capable of electronic communication with one another in the network and/or with a server that is in electronic communication with the network.

19. A system for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects, each bio-object including an organ, a tissue construct, or a group of cells, comprising:
(a) at least one bio-object platform comprising one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules, each integrated bio-object microfluidics module configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a bio-object, comprising:
(i) one or more on-chip pumps;
(ii) a plu

Assignees

• Univ Vanderbilt

Inventors

• Block Iii Frank E
• Samson Philip C
• Werner Erik M
• Markov Dmitry A
• Reiserer Ronald S
• Mckenzie Jennifer R
• Cliffel David E
• Matloff William J
• Block Jr Frank E
• Scherrer Joseph R
• Tidwell W Hunter
• Wikswo John P

Classifications

• B01L2300/123

  Flexible; Elastomeric · CPC title

• F04B43/1253

  by using two or more rollers as squeezing elements, the rollers moving on an arc of a circle during squeezing · CPC title

• F04B43/1269 Primary

  the rotary axes of the rollers lying in a plane perpendicular to the rotary axis of the driving motor · CPC title

• F04B43/1292

  Pumps specially adapted for several tubular flexible members · CPC title

• B01L3/50273

  characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids · CPC title