IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,325,846
Granted Patent B2
US 12,325,846 · App. 18/604,469 · Granted Jun 10, 2025

Open-top microfluidic devices and methods for simulating a function of a tissue

Inventors: Antonio Varone (Newton, MA); Norman Wen (Newton, MA); Daniel Levner (Brookline, MA); Richard Novak (Jamaica Plain, MA); Lori McPartlin (North Billerica, MA); Donald E. Ingber (Boston, MA); Youngjae Choe (Somerville, MA); Lian Leng (LaSalle, CA); Justin K. Nguyen (Medford, MA)
Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
C12M23/16C12M21/08C12M25/02C12M25/14C12N5/0629C12N5/0656C12N5/0679C12N5/069B01L3/5027B01L2300/069C12M3/04C12M29/10C12M41/46
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,325,846
App. No.
18/604,469
Granted
Jun 10, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Claims (10)

1. A method of seeding cells, comprising:

(a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a first chamber, the first chamber including a three-dimensional gel matrix disposed therein, and a second chamber, said second chamber separated from the first chamber by a membrane, the gel matrix positioned under a removable cover that comprises a fluidic chamber, wherein said fluidic chamber of said removable cover substantially aligns with all of an open top region of the first chamber;

(b) removing the removable cover thereby exposing the gel matrix; and

(c) seeding cells within the gel matrix.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gel matrix has a patterned surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane includes endothelial cells.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second chamber includes fluidics configured to supply the cells with culture fluid.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising (d) culturing the cells submerged in culture fluid.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising (e) culturing the cells in air without culture media.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cells are intestinal cells.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: NGUYEN, JUSTIN; CHOE, YOUNGJAE; NOVAK, RICHARD; LENG, LIAN; LEVNER, DANIEL; WEN, NORMAN; VARONE, ANTONIO; INGBER, DONALD E.; MCPARTLIN, LORI A.
To: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
Reel/Frame 070276/0443 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17820174 · Aug 16, 2022
Continuation 15781078
Provisional Application 62263225 · Dec 4, 2015
Related Publication 20240218309A1 · Jul 4, 2024
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