Multi-Organ Microfluidic Chip With Vascularized Organ Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microfluidic platforms face limitations in scalability, modularity, and the ability to simulate complex physiological conditions, necessitating a more versatile and integrative system for accurately replicating multifaceted interactions within human tissues and organs.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic chip with separate regions simulating organs, connected by vascularized pathways with endothelial cells and physiologically relevant geometries, featuring sensors and pumps for real-time monitoring and controlled fluid flow, allowing for the simulation of complex physiological interactions and responses across multiple organs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If microfluidic platforms use simple channel structures, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simulate complex physiological conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel structure complexityVSAvoidphysiological simulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The microfluidic device is divided into multiple independent organ modules (liver, heart, kidney, lung, brain regions), each with specialized channel structures that can be separately designed and optimized. This segmentation allows complex physiological simulations to be achieved through modular assembly without overwhelming overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vascular networks are nested within organ modules, with microchannels containing endothelial cells embedded inside larger organ tissue structures. This nested arrangement enables realistic physiological simulations while maintaining a manageable hierarchical device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If microfluidic platforms integrate multiple organ regions with vascularized connections, then the ability to simulate complex physiological interactions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-organ interaction simulationVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vascular connection channels serve multiple functions: they connect different organ modules, transport fluids and cells between regions, provide structural support, and enable physiological interactions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while achieving sophisticated multi-organ simulation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If microfluidic platforms use vascularized connecting pathways with endothelial cells, then biological realism is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological simulation accuracyVSAvoidvascularization implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Endothelial cells are seeded into the vascular channels before final device assembly and operation. This preliminary action allows the vascular network to be established in advance, ensuring proper biological functionality while simplifying the manufacturing process by separating cell seeding from device fabrication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If microfluidic platforms include real-time monitoring sensors, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological parameter monitoringVSAvoidsensor integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensing functions (oxygen, pH, temperature, pressure monitoring) are integrated into a unified sensor system within the microfluidic device. This merging approach enables comprehensive physiological parameter monitoring while managing complexity through consolidated sensor architecture and centralized data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250388842A1Multi-organ microfluidic chip

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SYNVIVO INC

AI summary

A microfluidic chip may comprise a plurality of separate microfluidic regions formed into a chip substrate. Each microfluidic region may be configured to simulate an organ and may comprise at least one inlet and at least one outlet with a microfluidic channel therebetween. Connecting microfluidic pathways may be provided between the separate microfluidic regions. The connecting microfluidic pathways may be configured to be vascularized. The connecting microfluidic pathways may comprise a surface treatment configured to receive endothelial cells. The surface treatment may comprise an extracellular matrix protein coating. Endothelial cells may be disposed within the connecting microfluidic pathways. The endothelial cells may comprise organ-specific endothelial cells that match an organ simulated by at least one of the separate microfluidic regions. The connecting microfluidic pathways may comprise synthetic microvascular networks having non-linear channels with physiologically relevant geometries. The physiologically relevant geometries may comprise bifurcations, varying cross-sectional areas, and convolutions.