Microfluidic Organ-on-a-Chip for Trans-Epithelial Pressure Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack the capability to reliably measure fluid flow and pressure through tissue layers, particularly in organs like the kidney, due to difficulties in controlling hydraulic pressures during experimentation, which hinders the study of fluid absorption and transport across epithelial tissues.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic device with a first and second micro-patterned layer and a porous membrane is used to measure fluidic flux through a tissue layer, where the porous membrane is sandwiched between the layers, creating upper and lower channels to monitor fluidic pressure and flux across the tissue layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to study fluid transport across epithelial tissues, then experimentation can be conducted, but reliable measurement of fluid flow and pressure is not achieved due to difficulty in controlling hydraulic pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow and pressure measurementVSAvoidcontrol of hydraulic pressures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the measurement system into separate upper and lower chambers connected by a porous membrane, allowing independent control and measurement of hydraulic pressures on each side of the tissue layer. This segmentation enables precise measurement of pressure differences and fluid flow across the epithelial tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A porous membrane serves as an intermediary element between the upper and lower chambers, allowing fluid to pass through while supporting the epithelial tissue layer. This intermediary structure enables controlled fluid flow and pressure measurement without direct contact between the tissue and measurement instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a microfluidic device with multiple layers and porous membrane is constructed, then precise measurement of fluidic flux and pressure is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluidic flux and pressure measurementVSAvoidmulti-layer microfluidic structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a nested structure where the porous membrane is positioned between upper and lower micro-patterned layers, creating integrated channels and compartments. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions (fluid delivery, pressure control, tissue support) into a compact multi-layer architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional planar measurements to three-dimensional volumetric control by stacking multiple layers vertically. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous control of fluid flow paths, pressure zones, and tissue positioning in the vertical dimension, enabling precise measurement without excessive lateral complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This setup allows for precise measurement of fluidic flux and pressure, enabling the study of fluid transport mechanisms and the impact of agents on tissue layers, providing insights into kidney function and diseases like polycystic kidney disease.

Implementation Method 1

a porous membrane disposed between the first micro-patterned layer and the second micro-patterned layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

a pressure monitor arranged in operative communication with the upper and lower channels. In such an embodiment, the pressure monitor is configured to measure a fluidic pressure in the upper channel and a fluidic pressure in the lower channel to provide a measurement of the fluidic flux

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20220265176A1A novel, organ-on-a-chip device for assessing trans-epithelial transport, and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2022.08.25 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention relate to devices and methods for measuring a fluidic flux and a fluidic pressure through a tissue layer. Related devices include: a first micro-patterned layer; a second micro-patterned layer attached to the first micro-patterned layer; a porous membrane disposed between the first micro-patterned layer and the second micro-patterned layer, where the second micro-patterned layer and the porous membrane together define an upper channel across an upper surface of the tissue layer while in use; where the first micro-patterned layer and the porous membrane together define a lower channel across a lower surface of the tissue layer while in use; and a pressure monitor arranged in operative communication with the upper and lower channels. The pressure monitor is configured to measure a fluidic pressure in the upper channel and a fluidic pressure in the lower channel.