US 12,214,348 B2
Microfluidic systems for multiple bioreactors and applications of same
David K. Schaffer, Nashville, TN (US); Ronald S. Reiserer, Nashville, TN (US); Michael D. Geuy, State College, PA (US); and John P. Wikswo, Brentwood, TN (US)
Assigned to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, Nashville, TN (US)
Appl. No. 18/015,749
Filed by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, Nashville, TN (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 19, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/042141
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 12, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/016136, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 20, 2022.
Application 18/015,749 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2020/040061, filed on Jun. 29, 2020.
Application 18/015,749 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/269,349, granted, now 11,465,144, issued on Oct. 11, 2022, previously published as PCT/US2019/047307, filed on Aug. 20, 2019.
Application PCT/US2021/042141 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/269,329, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2019/047190, filed on Aug. 20, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/053,388, filed on Jul. 17, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/868,303, filed on Jun. 28, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/719,868, filed on Aug. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0271181 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); F04B 43/06 (2006.01); F04B 43/14 (2006.01); F16K 99/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502738 (2013.01); B01L 2300/123 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0481 (2013.01); F04B 43/06 (2013.01); F04B 43/14 (2013.01); F16K 99/0057 (2013.01); F16K 2099/0084 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluidic device, comprising:
a fluidic chip having a body and a fluidic network formed in the body, the fluidic network comprising a plurality of fluidic channels in fluidic communication with a plurality of input ports, at least one output port, and at least one sensing port; and
an actuator configured to engage with the fluidic network to control each fluidic channel to switch between an open state in which fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted and a closed state in which no fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted, so as to selectively collect fluid from multiple inputs via the plurality of input ports, and direct either all of the multiple inputs to the at least one output port, or all but a single selected input to the at least one output port and the single selected input to the at least one sensing port to which an analytical instrument is operably connected,
wherein the plurality of input ports is operably coupled with a plurality of fluidic modules, wherein in operation, the plurality of fluidic modules is individually perfused, and outputs of all of the plurality of fluidic modules are directed to the at least one output port, or an output of any one of the plurality of fluidic modules is directed to the at least one sensing port, while outputs of all other fluidic modules of the plurality of fluidic modules are directed to the at least one output port,
wherein the plurality of fluidic channels comprises a first common channel, a second common channel, and a plurality of intermediate channels, each intermediate channel being in fluidic communication with at least one of the plurality of input ports and connected to the first common channel and/or the second common channel, and
wherein the actuator comprises
a plurality of actuating elements disposed on the body of the fluidic chip with each actuating element at a location that is over an intermediate channel and is located between a respective port and one of the first common channel and the second common channel to which said intermediate channel is connected, wherein the plurality of actuating elements comprises caged actuating elements; and
an actuator head having a cylinder shape configured to be rotatable over the plurality of actuating elements, and including one or more grooves, one or more reliefs, and/or one or more pockets operably engaging with the plurality of actuating elements for selectively compressing or relaxing each of the plurality of actuating elements, such that compression of said actuating element on the body causes fluidic flow between said respective port and said one of the first common channel and the second common channel through said intermediate channel to be occluded so that said intermediate channel is in the closed state, or relaxation of said actuating element on the body causes fluidic flow between said respective port and said one of the first common channel and the second common channel through said intermediate channel to flow so that said intermediate channel is in the open state; and
wherein the fluidic chip has a circular shape adapted for engaging with the cylinder shaped actuator head.
 
14. A fluidic device, comprising:
a fluidic chip having a body and a fluidic network formed in the body, the fluidic network comprising a plurality of channel modules, each channel module being in fluidic communication with a pair of input ports, at least one make-up media port, and at least one sensing port; and
an actuator configured to engage with the fluidic network to control each channel module to switch between a run mode in which the pair of input ports is fluidically connected to each other, and an analysis mode in which one of the pair of input ports is fluidically connected to the at least one make-up media port, while the other of the pair of input ports is fluidically connected to the at least one sensing port to which an analytical instrument is operably connected,
wherein the pair of ports of each channel module is operably coupled with a fluidic module and a recirculating pump, such that when said channel module is in the run mode, the fluidic module is fluidically connected to the recirculating pump in a circulating loop, and when said channel module is in the run mode, make-up media from the at least one make-up media port is pumped into the fluidic module, and output media from the fluidic module is delivered to the at least one sensing port,
wherein the actuator comprises
a plurality of actuating elements disposed on the body of the fluidic chip,
wherein the plurality of actuating elements comprises caged actuating elements; and
an actuator head having a cylinder shape configured to be rotatable over the plurality of actuating elements, and including one or more grooves, one or more reliefs, and/or one or more pockets operably engaging with the plurality of actuating elements for selectively compressing or relaxing each of the plurality of actuating elements, such that compression of an actuating element on the body causes no fluidic flow through a corresponding channel portion at which said actuating element is located, or relaxation of an actuating element on the body causes fluidic flow through a corresponding channel portion at which said actuating element is located; and
wherein the fluidic chip has a circular shape adapted for engaging with the cylinder shaped actuator head.