Microfluidic Lid With Membranes for Cell Assay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices require external equipment for operations like washing, flushing, and mixing, making them complex and inaccessible for in-vitro live-cell assays, which are essential for drug discovery and research but are hindered by high costs and training requirements.
Innovation Solution
A functionalized lid for a microfluidic platform that allows for freezing, storing, shipping, and thawing of cell suspensions without external equipment, using a design with porous and non-porous membranes to facilitate dialysis and fluid diffusion, enabling simple and cost-effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external equipment like tubing and syringe pumps are used to provide valving and mixing functionality, then the microfluidic system can perform complete assays, but the device complexity increases and simplicity is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates valving and mixing functionalities directly into the microfluidic device structure itself, merging previously separate external components (tubing, syringe pumps) with the core microfluidic platform. This integration enables complete assays to be performed while reducing dependence on external equipment, thereby addressing the contradiction between assay functionality and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, incorporating features that provide both valving and mixing operations within a single integrated platform. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple assay steps without requiring separate specialized equipment, thus improving versatility while managing complexity
2Reliability
If in-vitro live-cell assays are performed using traditional methods, then physiologically relevant insight is obtained, but high equipment costs and training requirements create barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic device is designed to be self-sufficient, incorporating all necessary functionalities (valving, mixing, fluid handling) within the device itself rather than requiring external equipment support. This self-service design enables laboratories without extensive training or expensive equipment to perform reliable in-vitro live-cell assays, thus maintaining biological insight quality while reducing equipment barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable microfluidic devices that eliminate the need for expensive, complex, and reusable equipment. These single-use devices provide reliable assay results without requiring costly infrastructure or extensive operator training, making high-quality in-vitro live-cell assays accessible to more laboratories
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 the performance of in-vitro live-cell assays without external equipment, reducing costs and training needs, and maintaining cell viability for subsequent culture and study, thus making microfluidic platforms more accessible and adaptable for various situations.
Implementation Method 1
A first membrane retains the first substance in the first well and allows a dialysis fluid to diffuse therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The first substance is dialytically freed from the cryopreservation fluid
Implementation Method 3
A non-porous second membrane prevents the dialysis fluid from diffusing therethrough
Implementation Method 4
a method for freezing, storing, shipping, and thawing cell suspensions that maintains their viability
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. A first substance is frozen in a cryopreservation fluid in a first well of a lid. The lid includes a first surface communicating with a first port of the first well and a second surface communicating with a second port of the first well. A porous membrane is affixed to the first surface so as to overlap the first port and a non-porous membrane is affixed to the second surface so as to overlap the second port. The first substance may be dialytically freed from the cryopreservation fluid at a user desired time. Thereafter, the lid may be moved from a first position wherein the lid is spaced from a base to a second position wherein the lid is adjacent the channel in the base such that the first substance communicates with the input of the channel.