Microfluidic Air-Lock Element for Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices for tissue modeling primarily use immortalized cell lines or tissue-specifically differentiated stem cells, often cultured in 2D monolayers on matrices that interfere with drug absorption and increase batch-to-batch variability, lacking physiological relevance and multi-tissue interactions.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a first compartment connected to a fluidic control unit and a second compartment via a micrometer channel, featuring an air-lock element that maintains constant pressure and allows reciprocal cross-talk between cells or tissue models, enabling controlled fluid exchange and mimicking bodily fluid mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluid is introduced or withdrawn from the first compartment via the inlet, then fluid flow control is achieved, but pressure build-up occurs within the device
Solution Approach 1:
The air-lock element acts as an intermediary between the sealed internal atmosphere and the external environment, allowing pressure equalization while maintaining the seal. It mediates the pressure changes caused by fluid introduction or withdrawal, preventing pressure build-up by providing a controlled pathway for pressure adjustment without compromising the sealed environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the device is sealed to prevent contamination, then protection from external environment is achieved, but evaporation from cell culture medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air-lock element serves as an intermediary that reconciles the conflicting requirements of sealing and evaporation prevention. It maintains the sealed environment to protect against contamination while providing a pressure equalization mechanism that prevents the negative pressure conditions that would otherwise cause increased evaporation of the cell culture medium.
3Ease of manufacture
If 2D monolayers on matrices are used for cell culture, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but physiological relevance and drug absorption accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from 2D monolayer culture to 3D tissue model culture within the microfluidic device. This dimensional change enables more physiologically relevant tissue architectures that better mimic in vivo conditions, improving drug absorption accuracy and physiological relevance while maintaining the benefits of microfluidic manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses pneumatic control through the air-lock element and fluidic channels to enable dynamic control of the 3D tissue culture environment. This allows for physiological flow conditions and nutrient delivery that enhance the reliability and physiological relevance of the tissue models without compromising ease of manufacture.
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
Enables precise control of fluid flow and pressure, reducing evaporation and contamination risks, and supports the growth of various cell types, enhancing the physiological relevance of tissue models by allowing fine control of liquid flow and mimicking in vivo fluid exchange.
Implementation Method 1
the air-lock element is configured so that in use the internal atmosphere of the device is sealed from the external atmosphere and so that when fluid is introduced or withdrawn from the first compartment via the inlet the air-lock element maintains an overall constant pressure within the device
Implementation Method 2
a micrometer channel connecting the first and second compartments so as to allow fluid communication between the first and second compartments
Implementation Method 3
the use of one or more air-lock elements prevents pressure build-up while strongly limiting evaporation from cell culture medium within the device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed towards a microfluidic device comprising a first compartment comprising an inlet that is connectable to a fluidic control unit and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are connected by a micrometer channel so as to allow fluid communication between the two compartments. The device also comprises an air-lock element in fluid communication with the second compartment and the air-lock element is configured so that in use the internal atmosphere of the device is sealed from the external atmosphere and so that when fluid is introduced or withdrawn from the first compartment via the inlet the air-lock element maintains an overall constant pressure within the device.The present invention is also directed towards a method of manufacturing the microfluidic device, a kit-of-parts comprising the microfluidic device and a method of using the microfluidic device for accommodating, growing, culturing, isolating, treating and/or processing cells.