Fluid Flow Plate Rocking Bidirectional Shear Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices for simulating fluid flow on cell cultures are costly and difficult to use for high-throughput experiments due to their complexity and size, making it challenging to recreate in vivo fluid flow conditions in vitro.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow plate with a reservoir and removable cell culture surface, designed to be rocked for bidirectional fluid flow, which can exert shear stress similar to in vivo conditions, using conventional cell culture inserts and a rocker for efficient fluid dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microfluidic devices are used to simulate fluid flow on cell cultures, then fluid flow simulation is achieved, but the devices are costly and difficult to use for high-throughput experiments
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a standard 96-well plate base, removable cell culture inserts, and interchangeable flow control elements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain microfluidic flow simulation capabilities while enabling high-throughput experimentation across multiple wells simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simulation accuracy and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses universal standard 96-well plates and conventional cell culture inserts that can be used across multiple experimental conditions and applications. This multi-functionality allows the same basic platform to simulate fluid flow across numerous cell cultures simultaneously, achieving both reliable flow simulation and high-throughput capability.
2Reliability
If microfluidic devices are used to simulate fluid flow on cell cultures, then fluid flow conditions can be controlled, but the devices are costly to manufacture due to component complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the inherent properties of standard plate and insert components to achieve fluid flow control without requiring complex proprietary parts. The flow control emerges from the basic geometry and material properties of conventional components, eliminating the need for expensive specialized manufacturing while maintaining flow precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable standard cell culture inserts and plates that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace. This approach eliminates the need for costly, complex, reusable microfluidic devices while maintaining the ability to precisely control fluid flow conditions for each experimental run.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cell culture inserts are used in the fluid flow plate, then cost-effectiveness and availability improve, but rotation of the inserts may adversely affect fluid dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates asymmetric positioning features such as offset wells, non-circular aperture shapes, or directional flow channels that create inherent rotational asymmetry. This asymmetry prevents conventional circular inserts from rotating freely, ensuring consistent fluid dynamics while still using inexpensive conventional insert materials and designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary positioning elements such as alignment pins, asymmetric seals, or directional barriers between the conventional inserts and the plate structure. These intermediaries prevent rotation of the inserts while allowing the use of standard conventional cell culture inserts, maintaining both cost-effectiveness and fluid dynamics reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fluid flow plate effectively simulates physiological fluid flow conditions, providing a cost-effective means to exert uniform shear stress on cell cultures, allowing for physiologically relevant responses and enabling multiple experimental conditions per plate.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flow plate is configured to exert 0.2 dyne/cm2 to 2 dyne/cm2 of shear stress on the removable cell culture surface
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flow plate is configured to be rocked such that bidirectional flow of fluid in the fluid reservoir is effected
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow plate comprising: a fluid reservoir comprising a cavity space defined by a base wall, one or more side walls and an upper wall: wherein the upper wall comprises a plurality of apertures, each adapted to receive a removeable cell culture surface; and wherein, the fluid flow plate is configured to be rocked such that bidirectional flow of fluid in the fluid reservoir is affected. Also described is a kit comprising a fluid flow plate and a method of simulating fluid flow on cells utilising a fluid flow plate.