In vitro microphysiological system for high throughput 3D tissue organization and biological function

US9512396B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania · US

Inventors

• Christopher S. Chen · Wallingford, US
• Ken Margulies · Villanova, US
• Thomas BOUDOU · Philadelphia, US
• Wesley Legant · Philadelphia, US
• Michael T. Yang · Princeton Colonial Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 8, 2014
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2016
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2527/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Techniques for generating microtissues, including a micro-fabricated platform including at least one micro-well including a plurality of micro-cantilevers coupled thereto and surrounded by a plurality of ridges, each micro-cantilever including a cap at a terminal end thereof. The platform can be immersed in a suspension of cells. The suspension of cells can be driven into at least one micro-well, and the ridges can be de-wetted to remove excess suspension and isolate the suspension of cells in each micro-well. The cells can be driven in the suspension of each micro-well toward a top surface of the suspension, which can be polymerized to form a matrix. The cells can be cultivated to spontaneously compact the matrix such that the micro-cantilevers anchor and constrain the contracting matrix to form a band of microtissue that spans across the micro-cantilevers.