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 method comprising:
 a) providing first and second microfluidic devices, each of the devices comprising living cells, the devices linked to a fluid source in a first configuration; and   b) linking the first and second microfluidic devices to the fluid source in a second configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second microfluidic devices comprises a microchannel, a fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet port. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, in the first configuration, the first and second microfluidic devices are fluidically connected in parallel such that fluid from the fluid source contacts the living cells in both of the first and second microfluidic devices. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, in the second configuration, the first and second microfluidic devices are fluidically connected in series. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein fluid from the first microfluidic device passes through the fluid outlet port of the first microfluidic device and enters the fluid inlet port of the second microfluidic device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the living cells in the first microfluidic device secrete a protein, and the fluid that passes through the fluid outlet port of the first microfluidic device and enters the fluid inlet port of the second microfluidic device contains the protein. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the living cells in the first microfluidic device secrete a protein, and the fluid that passes through the fluid outlet port of the first microfluidic device and enters the fluid inlet port of the second microfluidic device causes a response. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of detecting the response. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, in the first configuration, fluid that passes through the microchannel of a particular microfluidic device is recirculated back to the particular microfluidic device and is again run through the microchannel of the particular microfluidic device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid that is recirculated is subsequently run through the microchannel of another microfluidic device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises detecting communication between the living cells of the first microfluidic device and the living cells of the second microfluidic device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detecting the communication comprises detecting chemical communication between the living cells of the first microfluidic device and the living cells of the second microfluidic device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the living cells in the first microfluidic device are different from the living cells in the second microfluidic device. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising multiple microfluidic devices, each of the microfluidic devices comprising living cells and one or more ports in communication with a fluid source. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microfluidic devices comprise inlet and outlet ports. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least two of the microfluidic devices are fluidically connected in parallel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least two of the microfluidic devices are fluidically connected in series. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more pumps configured to move fluid from the fluid source.