Vanderbilt University

Harvard College

Frank Emmanuel Block

John P Wikswo

Ronald S Reiserer

Dmitry A Markov

Philip C Samson

David Edward Cliffel

Lisa J McCawley

John A Mclean

Jennifer Robin McKenzie

Joseph R Scherrer

William J Matloff

Erik M Werner

Jennifer R Mckenzie

W Hunter Tidwell

Frank E Block, Jr

Phillip C Samson

Donald Elliot Ingber

Daniel Levner

Christopher David Hinojosa

Geraldine A Hamilton

Kevin Kit Parker

Josue A Goss

David K Schaffer

Anthony Bahinski

Robert Cunningham

The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system of fluidic valves and pumps can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.

Interconnections of multiple perfused engineered tissue constructs and microbioreactors, multi-microformulators and applications of the same

A microclinical analyzer usable for analysis of one or more bio-objects, each bio-object including an organ or a group of cells includes a fluidic network having a plurality of fluidic switches, a plurality of fluidic paths in fluid communication with the plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more on-chip pumps coupled to corresponding fluidic paths; a sensor array coupled to the fluidic network; and a microcontroller for individually controlling the plurality of fluidic switches and the one or more on-chip pumps of the fluidic network as so to operably and selectively deliver an effluent of at least one bio-object to the sensor array for detecting properties of the effluent, or to a predetermined outlet destination.

Integrated organ-on-chip systems and applications of the same

A rotary planar peristaltic micropump (RPPM) includes an actuator having a shaft engaged with a motor such that activation of the motor causes the shaft to rotate, and a bearing assembly engaged with the shaft. The bearing assembly has a bearing cage defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings thereon, and a plurality of rolling-members accommodated in the plurality of spaced-apart openings of the bearing cage, such that when the shaft rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along a circular path. The RPPM also includes a fluidic path in fluidic communication with first and second ports. The fluidic path is positioned under the actuator and coincident with the circular path, such that when the shaft of the actuator rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along the fluidic path to cause a fluid to transfer between the first and second ports.

Organ on chip integration and applications of the same

In one aspect of the invention, an integrated bio-object microfluidics chip includes a fluidic network having a plurality of inlets for providing a plurality of fluids, a plurality of outlets, a bio-object chamber for accommodating at least one bio-object, a plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more pumps, coupled to each other such that at least one fluidic switch operably and selectively receives one fluid from a corresponding inlet and routes the received fluid, through the one or more pumps, to the bio-object chamber so as to perfuse the at least one bio-object therein, and one of the downstream fluidic switches selectively delivers an effluent of the at least one bio-object responsive to the perfusion to a predetermined outlet destination, or to the at least one fluidic switch for recirculation.

The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.

A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects includes one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules. Each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a respective bio-object, and includes one or more on-chip pumps; a plurality of fluidic switches; and a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, having at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the at least one chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, and a power and control unit adapted for selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing bio-object microfluidics functions.

The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Integrated human organ-on-chip microphysiological systems

A normally closed valve includes a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with each other, defined in a flexible base such that when a fluid channel is compressed, a fluid flow through the fluid channel is occluded, otherwise, the fluid flow through the fluid channel is unoccluded; and means for selectively compressing or uncompressing a desired fluid channel.

Normally closed microvalve and applications of the same

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Frank Emmanuel Block