Bi-Layer Multi-Well Cell Culture Platform With Dynamic Microflow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well plates for cell culture and biomedical experiments lack dynamic control of fluid flow and integrated sensing for real-time quantification of culture conditions, limiting their effectiveness in studying microphysiological systems and drug screening.
Innovation Solution
A bi-layer cell culture platform with microchannel structures and integrated sensors, allowing for dynamic fluid flow control and real-time monitoring, enabling precise simulation of physiological conditions and drug interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard well plates are used for cell culture, then ease of operation and compatibility with standard protocols are improved, but dynamic control over fluid flow and integrated sensing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional layers including a well plate layer for standard compatibility, a membrane layer for cell culture, and a microchannel layer for fluid control. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function while maintaining overall system compatibility with standard well plate protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges a standard well plate structure with integrated microchannel networks and sensing capabilities into a single multi-layer device. This combination preserves the ease of operation of standard well plates while adding dynamic fluid flow control and real-time sensing functions that were previously unavailable.
2Device complexity
If static cell culture environments are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accurately model tissue environments and respond to biological agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic fluid flow control through integrated microchannels that can deliver controlled streams of fluids, nutrients, and biological agents to cell cultures. This dynamic capability allows the system to simulate physiological conditions and tissue environments more accurately while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent actuators are used for each tissue modeling environment, then independent fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can service multiple tissue modeling environments simultaneously. A single pump assembly with multiple outputs can deliver controlled fluid flow to multiple wells, reducing the number of individual actuators needed while maintaining independent control capability for each environment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If overlapping microchannels are used across the membrane, then integrated tissue modeling capabilities are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping microchannel structure is achieved through segmentation of the device into separate layers (well plate layer, membrane layer, microchannel layer) that are assembled in a standardized sequence. This layered segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of each individual layer with standard tolerances, while the final assembled structure achieves the required precision for integrated tissue modeling.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The methods and systems described herein provide a cell culture platform with an array of tissue modeling environments and dynamic control of fluid flow. The cell culture platform includes an array of wells that are fluidically coupled by microchannel structures. The dynamically controlled flow of fluid interacts with cells grown within the microchannels.