Stacked Organ Chip Assembly for Dynamic BBB Barrier Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in vitro models for simulating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) struggle to accurately replicate the physiological environment, leading to insufficient drug delivery and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes for neurological disorders due to the BBB's protective function, which restricts many therapeutic agents from reaching brain tissue.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic organ chip assembly comprising stacked PDMS microfluidic components with an integrated membrane and enclosure, designed to simulate the BBB environment, allowing for precise control of fluid flow and real-time monitoring of drug permeability, using PDMS for biocompatibility and titanium alloy for stability, and incorporating barriers to mimic shear stress and pulsatile flow conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a membrane is placed in a single microfluidic channel, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simulate the dynamic flow conditions of blood-brain barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrofluidic structureVSAvoidphysiological environment simulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the single channel into three separate microfluidic channels (first, second, and third channels) that are stacked and connected vertically. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow in each channel while maintaining overall system functionality, enabling simulation of complex physiological conditions without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional single-channel design to a three-dimensional stacked channel configuration. The first, second, and third channels are arranged in vertical layers and connected through vertical openings, creating a multi-layered flow system that replicates the complex spatial dynamics of blood-brain barrier physiology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If static culture is used, then the setup is simple, but it cannot replicate the dynamic environment of brain vasculature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveculture system setupVSAvoidphysiological environment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates dynamic fluid flow through three interconnected microfluidic channels that allow continuous circulation of culture media. This dynamic flow regime mimics the physiological conditions of blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid movement, creating a realistic dynamic environment for studying blood-brain barrier interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If complex stacked components are used, then physiological environment is accurately simulated, but alignment and connection precision is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological simulation accuracyVSAvoidchannel alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates pre-designed alignment features including protrusions and recesses that are manufactured into the microfluidic components before assembly. These features guide the precise positioning and alignment of the stacked channels, ensuring accurate connection without requiring complex alignment procedures during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If animal testing is used, then comprehensive physiological data is obtained, but ethical concerns and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic evaluation accuracyVSAvoiddrug development time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an in vitro copy of the blood-brain barrier using cell cultures grown on membranes within the microfluidic device. This artificial model replicates the physiological functions and barrier properties of the actual blood-brain barrier, enabling drug screening and therapeutic evaluation without requiring animal or human subjects, thus reducing time and ethical concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4663744A1Organ chip assembly for simulating physiological barrier environment

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 TAIPEI MEDICAL UNIV

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AI summary

An organ chip assembly for simulating physiological barrier environment provided. The organ chip assembly includes a first microfluidic component having a first microfluidic channel, a second microfluidic component having a second microfluidic channel, wherein the second microfluidic channel is configured to receive a membrane and a third microfluidic component having a third microfluidic channel. The first microfluidic component, the second microfluidic component, and the third microfluidic component are configured to be combined. When combined, the second microfluidic component is positioned between the first microfluidic component and the third microfluidic component, such that the first microfluidic channel of the first microfluidic component faces the second microfluidic component and comprises a first portion configured to substantially align with and connect to the second microfluidic channel of the second microfluidic component, and the third microfluidic channel of the third microfluidic component faces the second microfluidic component and comprises a second portion configured to substantially align with and connect to the second microfluidic channel of the second microfluidic component.