Device and microfluidic system for studying cell cultures
Inventors
FERNÁNDEZ LEDESMA, Luis J. • MONGE PRIETO, Rosa • LLAMAZARES PRIETO, Guillermo • AYUSO DOMÍNGUEZ, José María • VIRUMBRALES MUÑOZ, María • SANTOLARIA MAZO, JORGE • OCHOA GARRIDO, Ignacio
Assignees
Universidad de Zaragoza • Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red CIBER
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Publication Number
US-11142734-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel microfluidic device and a microfluidic system for culturing cell samples based on: one or more culture wells (2) forming cell housing volumes for three-dimensional cell culture; one or more capillary channels (1) for circulating cells and/or fluid media, said channels (1) being connected to the wells (2) as well perfusion means; and an inlet port (3) and an outlet port (3′) for seeding cells and/or for circulating fluid in said channel (1), said ports (3, 3′) being connected to the ends of each capillary channel (1). The novel configuration of the ports (3, 3′) and their corresponding channels (1) allows known microfluidic perfusion media to be improved, dispensing with the use of complex elements for injecting the fluid media, such as syringe pumps, for example. The invention also allows two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture studies to be performed simultaneously.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a microfluidic device for culturing cell samples that includes one or more capillary channels for circulating cells or fluid media, or both. The capillary channels extend between a first end and a second end, and a first inlet port connected to each first end and a second inlet port connected to each second end provide seeding cells or circulating fluid through the capillary channels.
One or more culture wells form cell housing volumes for three-dimensional cell culture, where the culture wells are formed in the capillary channels so that the capillary channels are connected to the culture wells as culture well perfusion means. Each of the first and second inlet ports has a housing volume for housing a liquid at a level above the level of the one or more capillary channels, and this configuration causes the liquid to exert pressure at both ends of the one or more capillary channels.
The device further comprises an upper region reservoir for containing fluids above the capillary channels and for accessing the culture wells, providing a two-dimensional cell culture surface adjacent thereto. The culture wells are open such that they are accessible through the upper region reservoir, and the first and second inlet ports extend also above the upper region with openings configured so that a pipette or a fluid connector can be fitted therein.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim. It covers a microfluidic device combining capillary-channel perfusion for three-dimensional culture with above-capillary port housing volumes that apply pressure at both ends, plus an upper region reservoir that provides access and a two-dimensional cell culture surface adjacent to open three-dimensional culture wells. The main inventive features are as follows.
Capillary channels connected culture wells for 3D perfusion
One or more culture wells forming cell housing volumes for three-dimensional cell culture, wherein the one or more culture wells are formed in the one or more capillary channels such that said one or more capillary channels are connected to the one or more culture wells as culture well perfusion means.
First and second inlet ports supplying through capillary ends
A first inlet port connected to each first end and a second inlet port connected to each second end for seeding cells or for circulating fluid, or both, through the one or more capillary channels.
Above-capillary housing volumes apply pressure at both ends
Each of the first and second inlet ports have housing volumes for housing a liquid at a level above the level of the one or more capillary channels, such that said liquid exerts pressure at both ends of said one or more capillary channels.
Upper region reservoir providing 2D surface adjacent to open wells
An upper region reservoir for containing fluids above the one or more capillary channels and for accessing the one or more culture wells, providing a two-dimensional cell culture surface adjacent thereto, with one or more walls confining a perimeter of the upper region reservoir for containing fluids in said upper region reservoir, and wherein the one or more culture wells are open such that the one or more culture wells are accessible through the upper region reservoir.
Inlet-port openings configured for pipette or fluid connector
Each of the first and second inlet ports of the one or more capillary channels extend also above the upper region, and each of the first and second inlet ports have an opening configured such that a pipette or a fluid connector can be fitted therein.
Overall claim coverage centers on a microfluidic architecture where capillary channels connect to three-dimensional culture wells for perfusion, first and second inlet ports supply fluid at both capillary ends, above-capillary port housing volumes provide pressure by holding liquid at a higher level, and an upper region reservoir supplies access and an adjacent two-dimensional culture surface for open wells.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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