Organ mimic device with microchannels and methods of use and manufacturing thereof

Abstract

System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising first and second microfluidic devices each connected to at least one fluid source, each device comprising a membrane supporting cells, said fluid source configured to perfuse said cells with fluid. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said first device different from said cells on the membrane of said second device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said microfluidic devices is an organ-chip, wherein said cells mimic one or more of the functions of cells in an organ. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cells are in contact with fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said fluid is flowing. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said flowing fluid causes shear forces. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said fluid is under pressure from a pump. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said first device are cells from the lung. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said second device are cells from the liver. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each device comprises a microchannel and each microchannel of each device has dedicated inlet ports which are connected to respective dedicated fluid sources. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each device comprises a microchannel and each microchannel of each device has dedicated outlet ports which are connected to respective dedicated fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising: a) providing first and second microfluidic devices, each device comprising a membrane supporting cells; b) connecting said first and second devices to a fluid source; and c) perfusing said cells with fluid at a flow rate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said first device different from said cells on the membrane of said second device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of said microfluidic devices is an organ-chip, wherein said cells mimic one or more of the functions of cells in an organ. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each device comprises a microchannel and each microchannel of each device has dedicated inlet ports which are connected to respective dedicated fluid sources. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each device comprises a microchannel and each microchannel of each device has dedicated outlet ports which are connected to respective dedicated fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flow rate in the microchannel of said first device is controlled independently from the flow rate in the microchannel of said second device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said first device are cells from the lung. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said cells on the membrane of said second device are cells from the liver. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising subjecting the cells on the membrane to microscopic analysis in real time.