Compound distribution in microfluidic devices
Inventors
Sliz, Josiah • Levner, Daniel • Zuckerman, Brian • Wen, Norman • Rubins, Jonathan • Shroff, Tanvi • Hinojosa, Christopher David • Ahn, Grace • Antontsev, Victor • Puerta, Jefferson • Conegliano, David • Kerns, S. Jordan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12298320-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention is related to the field of microfluidics and compound distribution within microfluidic devices and their associated systems. In one embodiment, present invention aims to solve the problem of molecule and compound absorbency into the materials making up laboratory equipment, microfluidic devices and their related infrastructure, without unduly restricting gas transport within microfluidic devices.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to analyzing compound distribution in a system that includes microfluidic devices, where variability in compound exposure arises from small-molecule absorption into microfluidic materials and related infrastructure. The approach uses a first microfluidic device with a first membrane having pores in a plurality of regions and a first experimental protocol that introduces a compound and takes actions at one or more timepoints.
A second system replaces the first system with a second microfluidic device that includes a second membrane without pores in at least one region where the first membrane comprises pores. The first experimental protocol is modified for use with the second system by introducing the compound into the second microfluidic device and measuring compound concentration at one or more timepoints from the first experimental protocol.
The concentration measurements are then used to analyze compound distribution across the system. In additional embodiments, the concentration measurements support quantitative distribution and absorption-related analysis, including assessing absorption percentage and obtaining or correcting an apparent metabolite value, and the document also describes effluent sampling or effluent assay at timepoints and using the resulting concentration data to evaluate variability, generate uncertainty/error bars, and perform conditional selection between experimental protocols based on concentration thresholds.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims identified in the provided content are clm-00001. The core inventive coverage centers on switching from a porous-membrane microfluidic system to a pore-free-membrane microfluidic system, modifying an experimental protocol to measure compound concentration at matching timepoints, and using those measurements to analyze compound distribution.
Switching between porous and pore-free membrane microfluidic devices
Providing a first system comprising a first microfluidic device with a first membrane having pores in a plurality of regions, then replacing the first system with a second system comprising a second microfluidic device with a second membrane without pores in at least one region in which the first membrane comprises pores.
Protocol modification with concentration measurement at corresponding timepoints
Modifying the first experimental protocol to generate a modified experimental protocol in which the compound is introduced into the second microfluidic device and compound concentration is measured at one or more timepoints from the first experimental protocol.
Using concentration measurements to analyze compound distribution across the system
Performing the modified experimental protocol and using the measurement of concentration of the compound to analyze compound distribution across the system.
Across the identified independent claim, the inventive approach is the structured replacement of a porous-membrane microfluidic device with a pore-free-membrane microfluidic counterpart, paired with protocol modification to measure compound concentrations at corresponding timepoints and then analyze compound distribution.
Stated Advantages
Reduces absorption-driven variability in compound distribution or exposure by controlling small-molecule absorption into microfluidic materials and related infrastructure while maintaining gas transport.
Documented Applications
Analyzing compound distribution in a system using a porous membrane first protocol and a pore-free membrane second protocol with concentration measurements at timepoints.
Quantifying percentage of the compound absorbed into the system.
Assaying effluent to obtain an apparent metabolite value and correcting an apparent metabolite value using measured compound concentration.
Protocols in systems that include living cells as part of the first experimental protocol.
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