Multi-organ-chip with self-contained circulation and layered actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D organ culture systems fail to mimic the complex interactions between multiple organs, leading to instability and inability to maintain homeostasis over a prolonged period, limiting their effectiveness in simulating human physiological functions for safety testing and pharmacokinetic studies.
Innovation Solution
A multi-organ-chip device is designed with a self-contained circulation system that mimics the blood system of a higher organism, incorporating multiple organ equivalents such as the lung, small intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidney, and bone marrow, with a layered structure including a base layer for support, an organ layer for organ growth, an antra layer for fluid exchange, and an actuator layer for pressure regulation, allowing for dynamic interaction and homeostasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-contained circulation system with multiple organ equivalents is implemented, then the ability to maintain homeostasis and simulate physiological functions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional layers (base layer, organ layer, antra layer, actuator layer) with each layer performing specific functions. This segmentation allows the complex circulation system to be managed through modular components while maintaining overall homeostasis.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: nutrient supply, waste removal, oxygen transport, and inter-organ communication. The self-contained nature of the system allows it to maintain homeostasis across multiple organ equivalents without external intervention.
2Measurement precision
If multiple organ equivalents are cultured to mimic organ interactions, then the physiological simulation accuracy is improved, but the culture system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system establishes closed-loop fluid communication between organ equivalents, allowing metabolic waste from one organ to be processed by another (e.g., liver processing kidney waste). This feedback mechanism mimics physiological homeostasis and stabilizes the culture system while maintaining high simulation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple organ equivalents are nested within a unified circulation system where each organ is contained in its own growth section but interconnected through the circulation network. This nesting allows complex inter-organ interactions while maintaining individual organ stability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a self-contained circulation system is used to supply nutrients and remove waste, then the prolonged culture capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is self-contained and autonomously circulates culture medium through all organ equivalents without external pumping. The system uses the organs themselves and the fluid dynamics to drive circulation, enabling prolonged culture duration while minimizing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a multi-organ-chip device comprising a base layer; an organ layer arranged on the base layer; an antra layer arranged on the organ layer; and an actuator layer; wherein the base layer is configured to provide a solid support for the further layers; the organ layer is configured to comprise a multiplicity of individual organ equivalents, each organ equivalent comprising one or more organ growth sections, each of the organ growth sections being configured to comprise an organoid cavity for housing at least one organoid of an organ and to comprise a micro-inlet and a micro-outlet for fluid communication between the organoid cavity of the organ growth section and a self-contained circulation system, wherein the organ layer comprises at least one organ equivalent configured to represent the organs lung, small intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidney and bone marrow, respectively, and a self-contained circulation system configured to be in direct fluid communication with the organ growth sections of the organ layer via the micro inlets and outlets of the organ growth sections; the antra layer is configured to comprise a multiplicity of cavities and tubes arranged to be in fluid communication with selected organ equivalents or organ growth sections in order to allow for exchange of fluids between cavities and organ growth sections; and the actuator layer is configured to comprise a multiplicity of actuators arranged and configured to regulate a pressure force applied on a selected organ equivalent, the self-contained circulation system and/or part thereof.