Emulate, Inc.

Harvard College

Josiah Daniel Sliz

Christopher David Hinojosa

Daniel Levner

Joshua Gomes

Jose Fernandez-Alcon

Kyung Jin Jang

Norman Wen

Donald Elliot Ingber

Guy Robert Thompson, Ii

Matthew Daniel Solomon

Petrus Wilhelmus Martinus Van Ruijven

Patrick Sean Tuohy

Christian Alexander Potzner

Jefferson Puerta

Guy Thompson

Sonalee Barthakur

Brian Zuckerman

Tanvi Shroff

Hubert Geisler

S Jordan Kerns

Hyoungshin Park

David Conegliano

Jacob Freake

Doug Sabin

Grace Ahn

Sauveur Jeanty

Kyung-Jin Jang

Iosif Pediaditakis

Jonathan Rubins

Victor Antontsev

Ananth Nookala

Guy Robert Thompson

Geraldine A Hamilton

Richard Novak

Gang Luo

Sushma Jadalannagari

Janey Ronxhi

Ville Kujala

Tiama Hamkins-Indik

David James Coon

Daniel E Shea

Donald Mckenzie

Miles Ingram

Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Removing bubbles in a microfluidic device

The present invention is related to the field of microfluidics and compound distribution within microfluidic devices and their associated systems. In one embodiment, present invention aims to solve the problem of molecule and compound absorbency into the materials making up laboratory equipment, microfluidic devices and their related infrastructure, without unduly restricting gas transport within microfluidic devices.

Compound distribution in microfluidic devices

The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or 'chips' for testing and conducting experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). More specifically, microfluidic Brain-On-Chip, comprising neuronal and vascular endothelial cells, will be analyzed in both healthy and inflamed states to assess how the circumstances of space travel affect the human brain.

Effects of space travel on human brain cells

A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

Controlling pressure

The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Kidney-Chip, Glomerulus (Kidney)-Chip, Collecting Duct (Kidney)-Chip. Devices, methods and systems are described for drug testing including drug transport and renal clearance. Further, such devices, methods and systems are used for determining drug-drug interactions and their effect upon renal transporter functions. Importantly, they may be used for pre-clinical and clinical drug development for treating kidney diseases and for personalized medicine.

Microfluidic proximal tubule kidney-on-chip

A method for micro-molding a polymeric membrane and including pouring a predetermined volume of curable polymer unto a micro-fabricated mold having a post array with pillars, and overlaying the polymer with a support substrate. A spacer, such as a rubber spacer, is placed in contact with the support substrate and a force is applied to an exposed side of the spacer to compress the support substrate and the polymer together. While applying the force, the polymer is cured on the mold for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature to form a polymeric membrane having a pore array with a plurality of pores corresponding to the plurality of pillars of the post array. The polymeric membrane is removed from the support substrate.

Method for micromolding a polymeric membrane having a pore array

The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Chip.

Microfluidic kidney-on-chip

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Systems and methods for improved performance of fluidic and microfluidic systems

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Josiah Daniel Sliz