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.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device for monitoring a biological function, comprising:
 a body having a first microchannel and a second microchannel;   a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the first side having cells of a first type adhered thereto; and   a sensor coupled to the membrane.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of an electrical characteristic across the membrane. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a potential difference across the membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a short-circuit current condition across the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a resistance across the membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a characteristic that confirms the formation of an organized barrier of the first type of cells. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a characteristic that confirms an ion transport function across the membrane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a characteristic that confirms a fluid transport function across the membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor includes one or more microelectrodes that enable a measurement of an electrical characteristic across the membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical characteristic confirms a formation of an organized barrier of the first type of cells. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical characteristic confirms an ion transport function across the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical characteristic confirms a fluid transport function across the membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is controllably stretchable in a desired direction while a first fluid is present in the first microchannel and a second fluid is present in the second microchannel. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of an electrical resistance across the membrane to monitor changes in the vascular permeability during inflammatory responses of the first type of cells. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a short-circuit current condition across the membrane to monitor changes in the vascular permeability during inflammatory responses of the first type of cells. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a characteristic for monitoring transmigration of nanomaterials through the first type of cells on the membrane. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor enables a measurement of a characteristic for monitoring nanomaterial-induced changes in a barrier function associated with the first type of cells on the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is a made of a material having a plurality of pores or apertures, thereby permitting the migration of at least one of cells, particulates, chemicals, molecules, fluids, liquids, and gases from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is made of more than one material. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the membrane includes a coating. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the coating includes a metal. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the membrane includes fibers. 
     
     
         24 . A device for monitoring a biological function, comprising:
 a body having a first microchannel and a second microchannel;   a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the first side having cells of a first type adhered thereto; and   at least one sensor that enables a measurement of an electrical characteristic across the membrane with the first type of cells adhered thereto.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a potential difference across the membrane. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a short-circuit current condition across the membrane. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a resistance across the membrane. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the membrane is made of more than one material and the sensor is coupled to the membrane. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the membrane includes a coating. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the coating includes a metal. 
     
     
         31 . A system for monitoring a biological function, comprising:
 a device having a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane including a first side facing toward the first microchannel and a second side facing toward the second microchannel, the first side having cells of a first type adhered thereto, the device further including at least one sensor integrated within the device; and   a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving data from the sensor.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further including a display for displaying the data. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the data provides information on an operational condition of the device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the data provides information on a behavior of the first type of cells on a real-time basis. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one sensor includes one or more microelectrodes that enable a measurement of an electrical characteristic across the membrane. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane is controllably stretchable in a desired direction while a first fluid is present in the first microchannel and a second fluid is present in the second microchannel. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane is a made of a material having a plurality of pores or apertures, thereby permitting the migration of at least one of cells, particulates, chemicals, molecules, fluids, liquids, and gases from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane is made of more than one material and the at least one sensor is coupled to the membrane. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the membrane includes a coating. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the coating includes a metal. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the membrane includes fibers. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane is at least partially optically transparent. 
     
     
         43 . A method of monitoring a biological function in a device having a membrane located on an interface region between a first microchannel and a second microchannel, a first side of the membrane facing the first microchannel and having a first type of cells adhered thereto, a second side of the membrane facing the second microchannel, the method comprising:
 moving a first fluid through at least one of the first microchannel and the second microchannel; and   measuring an electrical characteristic across the membrane with the first type of cells adhered thereto.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further including controllably stretching the membrane in a first direction so as to apply a force to the first type of cells adhered to the first side of the membrane. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the membrane includes at least one sensor coupled thereto, the sensor for measuring the electrical characteristic. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one sensor includes one or more microelectrodes. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a potential difference across the membrane. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a short-circuit current condition across the membrane. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the electrical characteristic is a resistance across the membrane