IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,472,495
Granted Patent B2
US 12,472,495 · App. 17/511,246 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Microfluidic device for live cell manipulation and analysis

Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa (Winnetka, IL); Milan Mrksich (Hinsdale, IL); Prithvijit Mukherjee (Evanston, IL); Eric Jason Berns (Naperville, IL); Cesar Andres Patino (Evanston, IL)
Assignee: Northwestern University
B01L3/502715B01L3/502707B01L3/502753B01L2200/12B01L2300/0663B01L2300/0829B01L2300/0887B01L2300/123B01L2300/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,472,495
App. No.
17/511,246
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cell analysis system includes a multi-layer microfluidic device that includes a layer of microfluidic channels, a layer of microwells, a membrane with nanochannels, and a layer of extraction chambers. The microwells and the membrane are configured to allow culturing of cells that are adhered to the membrane or suspended in the microwells, and the membrane is configured to allow diffusion of substances across the membrane into the layer of extraction chambers. The cell analysis system includes a top conductive layer and a bottom conductive layer on the opposite sides of the multi-layer microfluidic device. The cell analysis system also includes a function generator configured to apply an electroporation pulse between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer.

Claims (22)

1 . A cell analysis system comprising:

a multi-layer microfluidic device comprising:

a first side and a second side;

a microfluidic channel;

a first layer including a plurality of microwells disposed underneath the microfluidic channel and in fluidic communication with the microfluidic channel, wherein each microwell of the plurality of microwells is configured to culture one or more cells;

an intermediate conductive layer disposed on top of the plurality of microwells;

a second layer including a plurality of extraction chambers disposed underneath the first layer wherein each microwell of the plurality of microwells is substantially concentric with a corresponding extraction chamber of the plurality of extraction chambers; and

a membrane disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the membrane has a plurality of nanochannel pores enabling the plurality of microwells to fluidically communicate with the plurality of extraction chambers;

a top conductive layer disposed on the first side of the multi-layer microfluidic device and a bottom conductive layer disposed on the second side of the multi-layer microfluidic device wherein the second layer is opposite to the first side such that the multi-layer microfluidic device is sandwiched between the top conductive layer of the cell analysis system and the bottom conductive layer of the cell analysis system;

one or more sensors disposed on the bottom conductive layer, projecting into each extraction chamber of the plurality of extraction chambers and for analyzing intracellular contents in the plurality of extraction chambers originating from the plurality of microwells and diffusing into the plurality of extraction chambers through the plurality of nanochannel pores; and

wherein the cell analysis system further comprises:

a function generator configured to apply an electroporation pulse to the one or more cells within the plurality of microwells between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer, wherein the intermediate conductive layer disposed on top of the plurality of microwells is configured to enhance electrical conductivity and minimize electric field losses in the microfluidic channel when the electroporation pulse is applied.

2 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the intracellular contents comprise a protein, RNA, plasmid DNA, a metabolite, or a combination thereof.

3 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the one or more sensors comprise plasmon-resonance-based sensors.

4 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the microfluidic channel comprises a self-assembled monolayer for performing a desorption ionization mass spectrometry assay, and the bottom conductive layer comprises an indium titanium oxide coated slide with gold patterns interfacing with the plurality of extraction chambers.

5 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein each nanochannel of the plurality of nanochannel pores is about 100 nm to 400 nm in diameter and the membrane has a nanochannel pore density between about 2×10 6 pores per centimeter squared (pores/cm 2 ) and about 5×10 8 pores/cm 2 .

6 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer comprise indium titanium oxide.

7 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the microfluidic channel, the first layer, and the second layer are formed using a soft lithography of polydimethylsiloxane technique.

8 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate conductive layer of the multi-layer microfluidic device is about 100 nm in thickness.

9 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the one or more sensors comprise plasmon-resonance-based sensors.

10 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the conductive layer comprises gold.

11 . The cell analysis system of claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises polycarbonate and is optionally coated with a protein matrix.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Aug 2, 2023
From: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 064474/0642 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2022
From: ESPINOSA, HORACIO DANTE; MRKSICH, MILAN; MUKHERJEE, PRITHVIJIT; PATINO, CESAR ANDRES; BERNS, ERIC JASON
To: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 061717/0426 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63106680 · Oct 28, 2020
Related Publication 20220126292A1 · Apr 28, 2022
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