Microfluidic Tissue Trap Array for Selective High-Throughput Assays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices and methods for assaying or manipulating tissue samples fail to mimic the native tissue environment, are incapable of selectively addressing portions of a tissue sample with drug candidates and imaging reagents, and have low throughput.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device with an array of traps and a well system is used to trap and manipulate tissue samples, allowing for the immobilization and exposure of tissue portions to compounds, while maintaining the integrity of the tissue microenvironment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dissociated cells are used for functional assays, then the assay can be performed, but the tissue microenvironment is lost and the results do not accurately predict human responses
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue sample is divided into multiple intact tissue portions that are trapped individually in separate traps of the microfluidic device. This segmentation allows each portion to maintain its native tissue microenvironment while enabling parallel processing and high-throughput assays, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tissue integrity and achieving versatile testing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device creates multiple copies of the same tissue sample in different traps, allowing repeated testing of the same tissue source under different conditions. This copying approach maintains the original tissue microenvironment integrity while enabling versatile adaptability for various functional assays and drug testing scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices are used to manipulate tissue samples, then the tissue can be processed, but the devices cannot selectively address portions of tissue with drug candidates and imaging reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic device divides the tissue sample into spatially separated portions within individual traps, enabling selective addressing of each portion with different drug candidates or imaging reagents. This segmentation provides adaptability without requiring complex device structures, as each trap acts as an independent unit that can be individually manipulated.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device (different traps) can be assigned different functions or treatments. The local quality principle allows specific traps to receive different drug candidates or imaging reagents while maintaining the same overall device structure, achieving selectivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used for tissue assay, then the tissue can be tested, but the throughput is low and time frames for drug development are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The device traps multiple tissue portions in parallel across different traps, enabling simultaneous processing and testing of multiple samples. This segmentation approach dramatically increases throughput compared to conventional single-sample methods, thereby reducing the time frame for drug development without compromising the integrity of individual tissue portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic system enables continuous flow of fluids through the traps, allowing ongoing delivery of drugs or reagents and continuous monitoring of tissue responses. This continuous action eliminates the need for repeated manual interventions, maintaining high throughput while accelerating drug development timelines.
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 fluidic device effectively traps and manipulates tissue samples, preserving their native characteristics for functional assays, enabling high-throughput testing of drug candidates and imaging reagents.
Implementation Method 1
flowing a fluid suspension comprising a tissue sample through the channel of a fluidic device, thereby trapping the tissue sample in a trap of the fluidic device
Implementation Method 2
exposing the trapped tissue sample to a compound by depositing a solution comprising the compound into a well in registry and fluidic communication with the trap
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for trapping and manipulating portions of tissue are described. In an embodiment, the devices include an array of traps, wherein traps of the array of traps are shaped to trap a tissue sample; and a well is in registry and fluidic communication with a trap of the array of traps.