Method and device for generating a tunable array of fluid gradients
Patent Number: US9409173
Executive Summary:
General Description:
Devices and methods provided rely on the combination of a special fluidic configuration and flow regimes that result in the ability to obtain spatio-temporal control or tuning a wide range of parameters that are affected or provided by fluid flow and diffusive processes. By specially mixing two or more fluid streams and providing the two or more flow streams in a source reservoir channel, a well-defined gradient is achieved in a source reservoir channel, with a gradient of a parameter of interest varying with axial distance from the mixing region.
The ability to precisely and reliably deliver materials has several important applications, ranging from surface processing, chemical or biological reactions, assays, materials and biological research, clinical diagnostics, and other related applications known by those skilled in the art. This invention also has the ability to provide gradients of a parameter, such as a concentration gradient, including for biological applications where chemical gradients rather than simply the presence or absence of a chemical is important.
Scientific Progress:
Applications in understanding of fundamental biological processes such as chemotaxis and morphogenesis. (ref. 1).
The principles and applications of microfluidic gradient generation in both 2D and 3D cellular microenvironments are discussed with emphasis on approaches to manipulate spatial and temporal distribution of signaling molecules. (ref. 2)
Future Directions:
Strengths:
Patent Status:
Publications:
1 S. Kim, H. J. Kim and N. L. Jeon, Integr. Biol., 2010, 2, 584-603.
2 B. M. Baker and C. S. Chen, J. Cell Sci., 2012, 125, 3015-3024.
Inventor Bio: Frederic Zenhausern
http://phoenixmed.arizona.edu/directory/zenhausern-frederic
Executive Summary:
- Invention Type: Diagnostic and Device
- Patent Status: Granted
- Patent Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9409173/
- Research Institute: University of Arizona
- Disease Focus: Lymphoid and myeloid leukemia; infectious diseases
- Basis of Invention: This device/method relates to microfluidic design and control to precisely, accurately and reliably tune dynamic components of a fluid
- How it works: Fluids within conduits are mixed in an intersection region to generate a mixed flow stream in a source reservoir channel that provides a gradient that varies with axial distance from the intersection region. Microchannels having an inlet connected to the source reservoir channel are configured to provide a microfluidic gradient in the microchannel. An outlet end of the microchannel is connected to a sink reservoir channel. By varying the ratio of fluid flow rates from the fluid conduits, the microchannel gradients are tuned
- Lead Challenge Inventor: Frederic Zenhausern
- Inventors: Matthew D Estes, Cedric M Hurth, Frederic Zenhausern
- Development Stage: In vitro data
- Novelty:
- Methods for generating gradients offer unique profile intensities, unique profile shapes, or tunability. However, there is a need for a platform that allows for all three of these crucial criteria to be probed and/or manipulated. The methods in this invention provide the ability to simultaneously and in a parallel manner, generate uniquely shaped gradients with controlled magnitudes, wherein on-the-run tuning permits the selection of desired gradient shapes and magnitudes
- Clinical Applications:
- Surface processing
- Chemical or biological reactions, assays, materials and biological research
- Clinical diagnostics
General Description:
Devices and methods provided rely on the combination of a special fluidic configuration and flow regimes that result in the ability to obtain spatio-temporal control or tuning a wide range of parameters that are affected or provided by fluid flow and diffusive processes. By specially mixing two or more fluid streams and providing the two or more flow streams in a source reservoir channel, a well-defined gradient is achieved in a source reservoir channel, with a gradient of a parameter of interest varying with axial distance from the mixing region.
The ability to precisely and reliably deliver materials has several important applications, ranging from surface processing, chemical or biological reactions, assays, materials and biological research, clinical diagnostics, and other related applications known by those skilled in the art. This invention also has the ability to provide gradients of a parameter, such as a concentration gradient, including for biological applications where chemical gradients rather than simply the presence or absence of a chemical is important.
Scientific Progress:
Applications in understanding of fundamental biological processes such as chemotaxis and morphogenesis. (ref. 1).
The principles and applications of microfluidic gradient generation in both 2D and 3D cellular microenvironments are discussed with emphasis on approaches to manipulate spatial and temporal distribution of signaling molecules. (ref. 2)
Future Directions:
- Development of in vitro 3D biomimetic environments using microfluid gradient devices, feasibility in the testing of cancer treatment candidates; a reagent compound for performing a biological assay reaction; a drug for toxicity screening; a growth factor for cellular differentiation
Strengths:
- Depending on the parameter that is desired to be controlled by the gradient, the array of microfluidic gradients may correspond to a physical parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, pH, oxygen level, electrical conductivity, a rheological property, electromagnetic property, light emission, light absorption, and adsorption.
Patent Status:
- Priority date 2012-11-30
- Filing date 2013-11-27
- Publication date 2016-08-09
- Grant date 2016-08-09
Publications:
1 S. Kim, H. J. Kim and N. L. Jeon, Integr. Biol., 2010, 2, 584-603.
2 B. M. Baker and C. S. Chen, J. Cell Sci., 2012, 125, 3015-3024.
Inventor Bio: Frederic Zenhausern
http://phoenixmed.arizona.edu/directory/zenhausern-frederic