Microfluidic-enabled multiwell cell culture devices and systems for precision culture, control and monitoring of living cells
Inventors
LUDLAM, Mary J. C. • Blanco, Austin • WARTMANN, David • Mathies, Richard A.
Assignees
Cairn Biosicences Inc • University of California San Diego UCSD • Cairn Biosciences Inc
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Publication Number
US-11946035-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices, systems, methods, and techniques regarding a microfluidic-enabled multiwell device with closed-loop monitoring and control of various parameters of the microfluidic environment are provided. A microfluidic-enabled multiwell device may have a removable and disposable microfluidics module layer and a reusable sensor module layer. The sensor module layer may be configured to monitor and control parameters of the environment inside the microfluidics module layer, store data regarding the parameters, and wirelessly transmit the data. The device may be configured to individually address flow of fluid to any one of a plurality of wells, using one or more pneumatic micropumps. The device may be configured to automatically execute one or more live cell cultures, assays, and/or protocols. The device may be configured to be received in a docking station and/or portable manifold adapter, and to be fluidly, pneumatically, and/or electronically coupled to the station, adapter, or other laboratory equipment.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a microfluidic-enabled multiwell device for microfluidic control of fluids for cell cultures. The device includes a microfluidics module that comprises a well layer, a fluid channels layer, and a pneumatic layer, where the well layer is configured to be removable from the microfluidics module.
The multiwell device further includes a sensor module, one or more processors, and memory storing instructions to execute a cell culture process. The cell culture process includes monitoring one or more parameters of an external environment surrounding the multiwell device and, in accordance with the monitoring, adjusting one or more parameters of the environment inside the microfluidics module.
The process also includes receiving data collected from the one or more sensors regarding the environment inside the microfluidic module. Based at least in part on the data received, the instructions cause fluid to flow to an individually addressable well in the multiwell device.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed claims include one independent claim. The independent claim covers a microfluidic-enabled multiwell device using a removable well-layer microfluidics module, sensor-based monitoring and closed-loop adjustment of internal microfluidic environment, and sensor-feedback-directed fluid routing to individually addressable wells.
Removable well-layer microfluidics module for multiwell control
A microfluidics module comprising a well layer, a fluid channels layer, and a pneumatic layer, wherein the well layer is configured to be removable from the microfluidics module.
Environment-detecting sensor module
A sensor module comprising one or more sensors configured to detect data regarding an environment inside the microfluidic module.
External monitoring and internal adjustment with processors and memory
Memory storing instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the multiwell device to execute a cell culture process, comprising monitoring one or more parameters of an external environment surrounding the multiwell device and, in accordance with the monitoring, adjusting one or more parameters of the environment inside the microfluidics module.
Sensor-data receiving and feedback-based individually addressable well fluid flow
Receiving data collected from the one or more sensors regarding the environment inside the microfluidic module and, based at least in part on the data received, causing fluid to flow to an individually addressable well in the multiwell device.
Across the independent claim, the main inventive coverage is a removable well-layer microfluidics module combined with sensor-based monitoring of external environment, sensor-data-based adjustment of the internal microfluidic environment, and feedback-directed control causing fluid flow to individually addressable wells.
Stated Advantages
Long-term live-cell assays in a standardized multiwell format
Microfluidic control of fluids with homogeneous well perfusion
Prevention of reagent crosstalk
Documented Applications
Cell cultures
Long-term live-cell assays
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