Microfluidic Device Perforable Wall Electrode Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices lack effective methods for precise and reproducible electrical measurements and stimulations in 3D cell cultures, due to issues with sterility, bio-compatibility, manufacturing complexity, and imprecise electrode positioning, especially when trying to measure or stimulate complex in vitro models.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a perforable wall of specific thickness (100 µm - 5 mm) that separates the electrode guide from the growth chamber, allowing for precise electrode placement and maintaining tightness, along with support walls for increased stability and non-leakage, enabling accurate electrical measurements and stimulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrodes are inserted manually through access ports to microchannels, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reproducibility deteriorate due to imprecise positioning and loud electrical noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-positions electrodes within guides during device fabrication, so that when the device is used, the electrodes are already in the correct position relative to the growth chamber. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for manual positioning during operation, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision and reproducibility.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are inserted in the manufacturing step and constantly in contact with the growth chamber, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into separate functional modules: a growth chamber compartment and an electrode compartment separated by a perforable wall. The electrodes are housed in guides within the electrode compartment, physically separated from the growth chamber during most operations. This segmentation allows precise electrode positioning without requiring constant contact with the growth chamber, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If a thin wall is used to separate electrode channels from growth chamber, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to directly touch or impale 3D cell matrix
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a particular thickness range for the separating wall (100 μm - 5 mm) that optimizes both manufacturability and functionality. This parameter change allows the wall to be thin enough for ease of manufacture and chemical etching, yet thick enough to provide structural integrity and allow reliable electrode insertion and contact with 3D cell matrices, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
4Ease of operation
If open measurement channel is used to access through microelectrode, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fluid leaks and alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a perforable wall as an intermediary element between the electrode guide and the growth chamber. This wall can be chemically etched to create a controlled opening that allows electrode passage while maintaining the structural integrity of the device and preventing fluid leaks. The intermediary wall resolves the contradiction by providing a reliable barrier that can still allow controlled access.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is a microfluidic device (10) for the generation and/or cultivation and/or maturation and/or analysis of a cell matrix where said microfluidic device (10) comprises: - confinement means (A) that defines at least one compartment that is a growth chamber (7) adapted to contain a cell matrix; - at least one guide (1, 2, 3, 4, 73) for housing and guiding the insertion of at least one electrode (20), where the volume of said at least one guide is afforded inside said confinement means (A); characterised in that said at least one guide (1, 2, 3, 4, 73) is separated from said at least one growth chamber (7) by a wall (6), where said wall (6) is made of a material that is perforable and has a thickness in the range 100 µm - 5 mm, or 150 µm - 1.5 mm, or 200 µm - 1 mm.