Systems and methods for seeding cell cultures in a microfluidic device

US11760967B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Hesham Azizgolshani · Belmont, US
• Brian Cain · Cambridge, US
• Joseph L. Charest · Cambridge, US
• Jonathan R. Coppeta · Windham, US
• Brett Isenberg · Newton, US
• Timothy Petrie · Braintree, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 19, 2023
• Expiry date: May 23, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N1/00
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems and methods for seeding cell cultures in a microfluidic device. The systems and methods of this disclosure can enable flow of a cell solution from one side of a scaffold, such as a porous substrate or membrane, to the other side of the scaffold. Flow of the liquid can pass through the scaffold while the cells themselves do not, resulting in the cells driven to the surface of the scaffold for consequent attachment. A microfluidic device can include a microfluidic feature structured to create a seal between a cell seeding tool and an inlet to a microchannel of the microfluidic device. This can enable a pressure-driven flow to push fluid down the channel and through pores of the membrane. In contrast, traditional gravity fed seeding of cells may not create enough pressure to drive fluid through the pores of the scaffold.