Elastically deformable components and assemblies for use in cellular assays
Inventors
Balachandran, Kartik • Sturdivant, Nasya Moriah
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12319903-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides elastic assemblies used to model tissues or organs of interest. In one embodiment, detailed herein, the assemblies are designed to model the blood brain barrier following a traumatic brain injury. The present invention also provides elastic membranes on which the assemblies are built, kits from which the assemblies may be prepared, and systems that expand upon the assemblies, forming more physiologically relevant models. Methods for making and using the disclosed devices are also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an elastic assembly for use in a cellular assay. The assembly includes a luminal compartment configured to house a first cell and an abluminal compartment configured to house a second cell, separated by an elastic membrane comprising a plurality of pores therethrough.
An anchoring member includes a window therethrough and is mechanically coupled to the elastic membrane, the luminal compartment, and the abluminal compartment. An actuator is mechanically coupled to the anchoring member such that physiological stress applied to the anchoring member results in elastic deformation of the elastic membrane, the luminal compartment, and the abluminal compartment.
In the described embodiments, the elastic membrane and the anchoring member extend together between the luminal compartment and the abluminal compartment, and the anchoring member functions as a support layer for the elastic membrane. Mechanical forces applied to the anchoring member cause elastic deformation of the elastic membrane, and also elastically deform the luminal and abluminal compartments due to the mechanical coupling among these elements.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are provided. Across the independent claims, the core inventive structure comprises a porous elastic membrane separating luminal and abluminal compartments, an anchoring member with a window mechanically coupled to multiple elastic components, and an actuator that applies physiological-stress loading to elastically deform the membrane and compartments.
Porous elastic multi-compartment assembly with actuator-driven elastic deformation
An elastic assembly for a cellular assay comprising a luminal compartment for a first cell, an abluminal compartment for a second cell, an elastic membrane with a plurality of pores separating the luminal and abluminal compartments, an anchoring member having a window mechanically coupled to the elastic membrane and to both compartments, and an actuator mechanically coupled to the anchoring member, where the elastic membrane and each compartment are capable of elastic deformation when physiological stress is applied to the anchoring member by the actuator.
Support-layer anchoring member bonded to porous elastic membrane
An elastic assembly for a cellular assay comprising a luminal compartment for a first cell, an abluminal compartment for a second cell, an elastic membrane comprising a plurality of pores, an anchoring member having a window bonded to the elastic membrane, and an actuator mechanically coupled to the anchoring member; where the anchoring member is a support layer for the elastic membrane, the elastic membrane and anchoring member extend together between the luminal and abluminal compartments, and the anchoring member is mechanically coupled to the elastic membrane, the luminal compartment, and the abluminal compartment such that mechanical forces applied to the anchoring member result in elastic deformation of the elastic membrane and both compartments.
The independent claims focus on a porous elastic membrane separating luminal and abluminal compartments, a mechanically coupled anchoring member with a window, and an actuator that applies physiological-stress-related loading to elastically deform the membrane and both compartments together. The second independent claim further requires the anchoring member to act as a support layer bonded to the membrane and extending with the membrane between the compartments.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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