Piston assembly and related systems for use with a fluidics device

摘要

Disclosed are fluidics devices and assemblies allowing for fluid flow between a plurality of wells. The fluidics devices and assemblies that are provided mimic in vivo tissue environments by allowing for initially segregated tissue cultures that can then be linked through fluid flow to measure integrated tissue response. The fluidics devices and assemblies provide a pumpless system using surface tension, gravity, and channel geometries. By linking human tissue functional systems to better simulate in vivo feedback and response signals between the tissues, the need for testing in animals can be minimized. Further, piston assemblies and related systems are provided for nesting engagement on top of the fluidics device in order to provide a dosing fluid thereto.

主权项

1. A piston assembly comprising:
a reservoir tray configured for nesting engagement with a fluidics device and including:
a liquid chamber defining a chamber floor for containing a dosing fluid;an aperture defined in the chamber floor and positioned above a dosing well of the fluidics device when the reservoir tray is nestably engaged with the fluidics device;wherein the chamber floor is angled and the aperture is defined at a lower portion of the chamber floor such that the dosing fluid flows through the aperture into the dosing well of the fluidics device when the reservoir tray and the fluidics device are nestably engaged; a reservoir cover defining a piston chamber that receives at least a portion of a piston for allowing the piston to translate between a first position a distance from the aperture and a second position proximal to the aperture; and a crank engaged with the piston for translating the piston between the first position and the second position such that the translation from the first position to the second position results in a portion of the dosing fluid flowing through the aperture to the dosing well when the reservoir tray and the fluidics device are nestably engaged.