US 11,944,969 B2
Multilayer microfluidics systems and methods
Fakhrul Ahsan, Elk Grove, CA (US)
Assigned to CALIFORNIA NORTHSTATE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, LLC, Elk Grove, CA (US)
Filed by CALIFORNIA NORTHSTATE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, LLC, Elk Grove, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/865,021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/226,733, filed on Jul. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0035822 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [C12M 21/08 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microfluidics system designed for emulating cellular physiologies in a mammalian subject, the system comprising:
a microfluidic chip; and,
a first channel adjacent to a second channel; wherein,
the first channel contains a first aqueous cellular solution, wherein the first aqueous cellular solution is not a gel; and,
a releasable, first aqueous interfacial film formed by the first aqueous cellular solution;
the first channel and the second channel are connected to the chip and include
a first port configured for injection of the first aqueous cellular solution into the first channel;
a second port configured for injection of a second aqueous cellular solution into the second channel, wherein the second aqueous cellular solution is not a gel; and,
a first wall with openings, the first wall shared by the first channel and the second channel, and the openings in the first wall configured to (i) form the releasable, first aqueous interfacial film across the openings of the first wall upon the injection of the first aqueous cellular solution and (ii) allow for a cellular communication to occur between the first channel and the second channel upon a release of the first interfacial film from the openings upon introduction of the second aqueous cellular solution;
wherein, the emulation of a cellular communication is improved over the use of an aqueous gel in the first channel or the second channel, because the use of an aqueous gel does not emulate a true physiologic condition, including the cellular communication with a drug as it would occur in a non-gel aqueous environment in the mammalian subject.