The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Children's Medical Center Corporation

Mark Joseph Mescher

Jeffrey T Borenstein

Jason Oliver Fiering

Jonathan Robert Coppeta

Michael J McKenna

Joseph D Cuiffi

William Sewell

Samuel Walker Inman

Sharon G Kujawa

Mathew Varghese

Brett C Isenberg

Abigail June Spencer

Marc Steven Weinberg

Linda G Griffith

Amy Elizabeth Duwel

Ernest Soonho Kim

Anilkumar Harapanahalli Achyuta

Erin Pararas

Transon Van Nguyen

Erin E Swan

Donald Elliot Ingber

Raanan A Miller

Jonathan Jay Bernstein

Joseph L Charest

Joan W Miller

David J Carter

Bryan McLaughlin

William L Robbins

John Lachapelle

Thomas F Marinis

Evangelos S Gragoudas

Mitchell L Hansberry

Nathan Francis Moore

Douglas W White

Daniel Doty

Anthony P Adamis

Christopher E Dubé

Joseph W Soucy

Chong Wing Yung

Hesham Azizgolshani

Bernard M Antkowiak

Brian Cain

Joseph M Bauer

Marcie G Weinstein

Vienna Mott

Frans Spaepen

Timothy Haggerty

Alla Gimbel

Nan Xia

Anthony A Mikulec

Erin E Pararas

William F Sewell

Michael J Mckenna

Joseph Dennis Cuiffi

Thomas Marinis

A microfluidic device for modeling a tumor-immune microenvironment can include a multiwell plate defining a plurality of microenvironment units fluidically coupled with a plurality of wells. Each microenvironment unit of the plurality of microenvironment units can include one or more compartments. Each microenvironment unit can include a trapping feature positioned within the one or more compartments. The trapping feature can be defined by a portion of at least one of a sidewall or a floor of the one or more compartments. The trapping feature can restrict movement of a tissue sample introduced into the one or more compartments and to allow fluid to flow past the tissue sample. The microfluidic device can include a plurality of micropumps each coupled with a respective well and configured to control movement of a respective fluid sample through each respective well.

Multiwell dynamic model for a tumor-immune microenvironment

The systems and methods disclosed herein are generally related to a cell culture system. More particularly, the systems and methods enable the culturing and interconnecting of a plurality of tissue types in a biomimetic environment. By culturing organ specific tissue types within a biomimetic environment and interconnecting each of the organ systems in a physiologically meaningful way, experiments can be conducted on in vitro cells that substantially mimic the responses of in vivo cell populations. In some implementations, the system is used to monitor how organ systems respond to agents such as toxins or medications. The system enables the precise and controlled delivery of these agents, which, in some implementations, enables the biomimetic dosing of drugs in humans to be mimicked.

Modular platform for tissue integrated cell culture

Systems and methods disclosed herein related to an apparatus including a fluid flow plate and a microfluidic valve assembly. The fluid flow plate includes a plurality of polymer layers that define a fluid flow passage through the microfluidic valve assembly. The microfluidic valve assembly includes a valve seat, a flexible membrane, a valve cavity, a valve head, and an actuator. The actuator is configured to selectively control pressure applied by the valve head to the flexible membrane, such that in a first actuator state the valve head depresses the flexible membrane into the valve cavity and into contact with the valve seat, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve assembly, and in a second state, the valve head and the flexible membrane are retracted substantially out of the valve cavity allowing fluid to flow through the valve assembly. In various implementations, the valve seat and/or the flexible membrane include an elastomer layer.

Actuated valve or pump for microfluidic devices

Fluid circulation and leveling systems and methods of using the same are described. A fluid circulation system includes a fluid mixing chamber and open fluid chambers in fluid communication with the fluid mixing chamber. Each open fluid chamber includes a microfluidic fluid leveling conduit with an orifice disposed in the open fluid chamber at a minimum fluid level associated with a corresponding minimum fluid volume. A controller causes a first pump to generate a first direction of fluid flow during a first time period between the open fluid chambers, and causes the first pump to generate a second direction of fluid flow during a second time period between the first and second open fluid chambers. The controller also causes a second pump to generate a flow of fluid during a third time period from one of the first and second open fluid chambers into the fluid mixing chamber.

Fluid circulation systems incorporating fluid leveling devices

The systems and methods disclosed herein are generally related to a cell culture system. More particularly, the systems and methods enable the culturing and interconnecting of a plurality of tissue types in a biomimetic environment. By culturing organ specific tissue types within a biomimetic environment and interconnecting each of the organ systems in a physiologically meaningful way, experiments can be conducted on in vitro cells that substantially mimic the responses of in vivo cell populations. In some implementations, the organ systems are fluidically connected with a constant-volume pump.

Modular platform for multi-tissue integrated cell culture

An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a bodily cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a drug supply reservoir to supply drug into a delivery channel and an actuator for delivering the drug to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear. The drug is loaded into the delivery channel while producing substantially negligible flow at an outlet of the delivery channel.

Drug delivery apparatus

A microfluidic valve system includes a substrate, a valve seat a compliant membrane and a mechanically actuable displacement element. The substrate includes first and second channels embedded within it and includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. The valve seat is in fluid communication with the first and second channels. Portions of the second layer of material form sidewalls of the second channel and the valve seat. The mechanically actuable displacement element applies a mechanical force to the compliant membrane to bring the compliant membrane into sealable contact with the valve seat, thereby closing the valve system.

Membrane-based fluid control in microfluidic devices

In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component.

Electronic devices, such as antennas, having fluidic constructs that permit reconfiguration of the devices

An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a body cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a variable-volume vessel defining a working chamber for receiving a drug and recirculating a therapeutic fluid. The fluid can contain a bodily fluid, such as, for example, perilymph, and a drug. The device allows for the controlled delivery of the therapeutic fluid to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear.

A microfluidic device may include a substrate that defines a flow-control cavity and first and second channels in fluid communication with the flow-control cavity. A compliant membrane for regulating fluid flow through the flow-control cavity may surround at least a portion of the flow-control cavity.

Electrodes are positioned substantially in contact with at least one surface of a solid to generate or absorb alkali metals when a voltage is applied between the electrodes.

Alkali-metal generator and absorber

A varifocal optical system includes a substantially circular membrane deposited on a substrate, and a ring-shaped PZT thin film deposited on the outer portion of the circular membrane. The membrane may be a MEMS-micromachined membrane, made of thermal oxide, polysilicon, ZOand SO. The membrane is initially in a buckled state, and may function as a mirror or a lens. Application of an electric voltage between an inner and outer electrode on the piezoelectric thin film induces a lateral strain on the PZT thin film, thereby altering the curvature of the membrane, and thus its focal length. Focal length tuning speeds as high as 1 MHz have been demonstrated. Tuning ranges of several hundred microns have been attained. The varifocal optical system can be used in many applications that require rapid focal length tuning, such as optical switching, scanning confocal microscopy, and vibration compensation in optical storage disks.

High speed piezoelectric optical system with tunable focal length

Growing community of inventors

West Newton, MA, United States of America

Mark Joseph Mescher