Microfluidic Cell Culture Device with Flexible Non-Porous Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microfluidic devices are inadequate for studying nervous system models, particularly for brain research, due to issues with pressure handling, membrane fragility, and inability to accurately model nerve damage, and rely on inefficient and ethically problematic animal models.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic cell culture device with a flexible non-porous membrane separating two chambers, featuring a non-planar surface and microfluidic channels connecting to media reservoirs, allowing for controlled pressure application and optimal cell growth, mimicking brain injuries and reducing the need for animal models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If porous membranes are used in microfluidic devices, then cell attachment and nutrient supply are improved, but pressure handling capability deteriorates and membrane reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane reliabilityVSAvoidpressure handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses porous membranes for cell attachment and nutrient supply in the culture chamber, but introduces a separate non-porous flexible membrane for the pressing device to ensure pressure handling capability and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines porous and non-porous membrane materials in different functional regions - porous membrane for cell culture support and non-porous flexible membrane for controlled pressing, creating a composite structure that achieves both cell attachment and pressure handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If porous membranes are used in microfluidic devices, then cell culture support is improved, but device fragility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidmembrane strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Porous membranes are used only in the culture chamber where they are needed for cell attachment, while the pressing device uses non-porous flexible membrane that is stronger and less fragile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing device employs a flexible non-porous membrane that provides both strength and flexibility, allowing controlled deformation for pressing operations without the fragility of porous membranes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Force

If non-porous membranes are used for pressing, then pressure application is improved, but chamber pressure difference becomes too high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force applicationVSAvoidchamber pressure difference

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible non-porous membrane in the pressing device allows controlled deformation that applies force to the culture chamber while accommodating pressure equalization, preventing excessive pressure differences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Shape

If narrow channels are used in microfluidic devices, then cell guidance is improved, but pressure application capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxon growth guidanceVSAvoidpressure application capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments different functions into separate components - narrow channels for axon guidance and a separate pressing device with flexible membrane for force application, allowing each to optimize its function without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficient and reliable cell cultivation for studying brain injuries and healing processes, providing a high-throughput, cost-effective, and ethically sound method for modeling brain trauma using human cells.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible non-porous membrane that separates the first microfluidic chamber and the second microfluidic chamber, wherein the flexible non-porous membrane being opposite to the non-planar surface of the first microfluidic chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure transmission through flexible membrane: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240010962A1Microfluidic cell culture device and method for cell cultivation

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 FINNADVANCE OY

AI summary

A microfluidic cell culture device for cell cultivation includes two or more media reservoirs, a first microfluidic chamber having a non-planar surface, a second microfluidic chamber being a pressure chamber and a flexible non-porous membrane that separates the first microfluidic chamber and the second microfluidic chamber. The flexible non-porous membrane is opposite to the non-planar surface of the first microfluidic chamber. One or more microfluidic channels connect the first microfluidic chamber to the two or more media reservoirs. Disclosed also is a method of cell cultivation using the aforementioned microfluidic cell culture device.