Microfluidic systems and methods

摘要

Microfluidic systems and methods. A microfluidic device for in vitro fertilization comprises a substrate and a plurality of microchannels disposed in the substrate, including an inlet of at least two of the plurality of microchannels arranged on the substrate to align with a fluid-handling device. Another microfluidic system for assaying a plurality of cells comprises a substrate and a plurality of microfluidic channels comprising a source channel, a sink channel, and a cell chamber. An insert for a microfluidic system comprises a substrate configured to be inserted into a dish and a plurality of microscale wells disposed in the substrate. A microfluidic channel comprises a substrate and at least one microchannel having an open inlet, an open outlet, a channel, and an opening in the substrate disposed over a portion of the channel. A device for providing an amount of fluid for a fluidic system comprises a main reservoir, an aspiration well, tubing coupling the reservoirs, and a seal closing the main reservoir. Air tubing having a hydrophobic end extends into the at least one aspiration well.

主权项

1. A microfluidic system for assaying a plurality of cells, the microfluidic system comprising:
a substrate defining a plane; and a plurality of microfluidic channels arranged in the substrate, each of said plurality of microfluidic channels comprising:
a source channel at an end of said microfluidic channel and a sink channel at an opposing end, said source channel having an inlet and an outlet and fluidly connecting said inlet and outlet of said source channel along the plane, said sink channel having an inlet and an outlet and fluidly connecting said inlet and outlet of said sink channel along the plane;a cell chamber disposed within said microfluidic channel between said source channel and said sink channel;a cell inlet and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said cell chamber, said cell inlet being fluidly connected to the cell chamber along the plane by a first channel, and said fluid outlet being fluidly connected to the cell chamber along the plane by a second channel;each of said source channel, said sink channel, and said first and second channels being narrower along the plane than said cell chamber; further comprising: a medium disposed in said source channel, said cell chamber, and said sink channel; at least one cell provided within the medium of said cell chamber; an attractant provided within the medium of only said source channel, wherein the medium disposed in said sink channel is a blank medium; wherein fluid flow is restricted and diffusion is permitted between said cell chamber and said sink channel; and wherein fluid flow is restricted and diffusion is permitted between said cell chamber and said source channel; wherein a concentration gradient of the attractant is formed within said cell chamber between said source channel and said sink channel.