Microfluidic Membrane Disruption for High-Viability Payload Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payload delivery systems face challenges with low loading efficiency and high cell viability loss during intracellular delivery of exogenous compounds.

Innovation Solution

Microfluidic devices with cross-junction, serpentine, and squeezing-relaxing modules apply controlled shear stress to cells, deforming the cell membrane to encapsulate payloads, optimizing flow rates and geometries for high efficiency and minimal cell damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional payload delivery methods are used, then simplicity of delivery is maintained, but payload loading efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload loading efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is segmented into distinct microfluidic modules (cross-junction module, serpentine module, squeezing-relaxing module), each performing a specific function in the payload delivery process. This segmentation allows for optimized control of shear stress application while maintaining overall system manageability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic principles by applying controlled shear stress through fluid flow in microfluidic channels. The cross-junction and serpentine modules create specific flow patterns that generate the necessary shear stress to facilitate payload delivery without mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If high shear stress is applied to deliver payloads, then payload loading efficiency increases, but cell viability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload loading efficiencyVSAvoidcell damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts shear stress levels through controllable fluid flow rates in the microfluidic modules. The squeezing-relaxing module specifically implements dynamic cycling between high shear stress (for payload delivery) and low shear stress (for cell recovery), optimizing both loading efficiency and cell viability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The squeezing-relaxing module applies periodic cycles of shear stress to cells. During the squeezing phase, high shear stress facilitates payload delivery; during the relaxing phase, reduced stress allows cell recovery. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between effective payload delivery and cell survival

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If prolonged shear stress exposure is used for payload delivery, then loading efficiency improves, but cell recovery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload loading efficiencyVSAvoidcell exposure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic shear stress cycles with controlled duration. The squeezing phase provides sufficient stress exposure for payload loading, while the subsequent relaxing phase allows cell recovery. This temporal modulation resolves the contradiction between adequate exposure time for delivery and sufficient recovery time for cell survival

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The microfluidic system dynamically controls the duration and intensity of shear stress exposure through adjustable flow rates. By optimizing the balance between stress magnitude and exposure duration, the system achieves effective payload delivery while minimizing total cell stress accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 method achieves a significant increase in payload delivery efficiency and maintains high cell viability by controlling membrane deformation, achieving up to 7-fold higher loading efficiency compared to osmotic entrapment while preserving over 90% cell recovery.

Implementation Method 1

applying shear stress to cells in order to deliver payloads to the cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

The devices and related methods result in increased payload delivery and reduced loss in cell viability compared to previous payload delivery technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentUS12465912B2Systems and methods for controlled membrane disruption

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

AI summary

A module of microfluidic device used for applying shear stress to cells (501) in order to deliver payloads (502) to the cells (501). The module includes cross junction modules (105), serpentine modules and squeezing-relaxing modules (1101). The devices and related methods result in increased payload (502) delivery and reduced loss in cell (501) viability.