Patents Assigned to EMULATE, Inc.
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Patent number: 11970680Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.Inventors: Geraldine A. Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
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Patent number: 11952592Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
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Patent number: 11920114Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Josiah Daniel Sliz, Christopher David Hinojosa, Joshua Gomes, Jose Fernandez-Alcon
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Patent number: 11859165Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
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Patent number: 11841361Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Kidney-Chip, Glomerulus (Kidney)-Chip, Collecting Duct (Kidney)-Chip. Devices, methods and systems are described for drug testing including drug transport and renal clearance. Further, such devices, methods and systems are used for determining drug-drug interactions and their effect upon renal transporter functions. Importantly, they may be used for pre-clinical and clinical drug development for treating kidney diseases and for personalized medicine.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Kyung-Jin Jang, Janey Ronxhi, Josiah Sliz, Sauveur Jeanty, Sushma Jadalannagari, Ananth Nookala, Hyoungshin Park
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Patent number: 11833512Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic “organ-on-chip” is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the epithelial system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and the associated tissue specific epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory tissue, e.g., autoimmune disorders involving epithelia and diseases involving epithelial layers. These multicellular, layered microfluidic “organ-on-chip”, e.g. “epithelia-on-chip” further allow for comparisons between types of epithelia tissues, e.g., lung (Lung-On-Chip), bronchial (Airway-On-Chip), skin (Skin-On-Chip), cervix (Cervix-On-Chip), blood brain barrier (BBB-On-Chip), etc., in additional to neurovascular tissue, (Brain-On-Chip), and between different disease states of tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Daniel Levner, Carolina Lucchesi, Antonio Varone, Remi Villenave
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Patent number: 11834641Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Josiah Daniel Sliz, Christopher David Hinojosa, Joshua Gomes, Jose Fernandez-Alcon
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Patent number: 11820966Abstract: A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate. A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Christopher David Hinojosa, Guy Robert Thompson, II, Joshua Gomes, Jacob Freake, Doug Sabin
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Patent number: 11788044Abstract: The present invention contemplates compositions, devices and methods of simulating biological fluids in a fluidic device, including but not limited to a microfluidic chip. In one embodiment, fluid comprising a colloid under flow in a microfluidic chip has a fluid density or viscosity similar to a bodily fluid, e.g. blood, lymph, lung fluid, or the like. In one embodiment, a fluid is provided as a Theologically biomimetic blood surrogate or substitute for simulating physiological shear stress and cell dynamics in fluidic device, including but not limited to immune cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.Inventors: Antonio Varone, Magdalena Kasendra, Carolina Lucchesi, S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Sonalee Barthakur
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Patent number: 11733234Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Kyung Jin Jang, Jacob Fraser, S. Jordan Kerns, Antonio Varone, Dongeun Huh
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Patent number: 11725190Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Kidney-Chip, Glomerulus (Kidney)-Chip, Collecting Duct (Kidney)-Chip. Devices, methods and systems are described for drug testing including drug transport and renal clearance. Further, such devices, methods and systems are used for determining drug-drug interactions and their effect upon renal transporter functions. Importantly, they may be used for pre-clinical and clinical drug development for treating kidney diseases and for personalized medicine.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Kyung-Jin Jang, Hyoungshin Park, Sauveur Jeanty, Janey Ronxhi, Sushma Jadalannagari, Geraldine A Hamilton, Catherine Karalis
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Patent number: 11697792Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and conducting experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). More specifically, microfluidic Brain-On-Chip, comprising neuronal and vascular endothelial cells, will be analyzed in both healthy and inflamed states to assess how the circumstances of space travel affect the human brain.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Christopher David Hinojosa, Josiah Sliz, Iosif Pediaditakis, Sonalee Barthakur
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Patent number: 11597899Abstract: The devices, methods and systems are described for providing controlled amounts of gas, gas pressure and vacuum to microfluidic devices the culturing of cells under flow conditions. The devices, methods, and systems contemplated here may also be used to control the environment surrounding the microfluidic devices; offer user control over experiments comprising microfluidic devices, such as the ability to directly or remotely control experiment conditions; and comprise information aggregation and transmission, such that experimental data may be collected, stored, aggregated and transmitted to users.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Lewis Rowe, Craig Henshaw, Joshua Gomes, Guy Robert Thompson, II, David James Coon, Christopher David Hinojosa
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Patent number: 11566231Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic intestine on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic intestinal cell culture, which is some embodiments is derived from patient's enteroids-derived cells, is described comprising L cells, allowing for interactions between L cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal autoimmune tissue, e.g., diabetes, obesity, intestinal insufficiency and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular-layered microfluidic intestine on-chips further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal duodenum, small intestinal jejunum, small intestinal ileum, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Athanasia Apostolou, Antonio Varone, Magdalena Kasendra, Raymond Luc
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Patent number: 11549937Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Kyung Jin Jang, Jacob Fraser, S. Jordan Kerns, Antonio Varone, Dongeun Huh
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Patent number: 11542476Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic systems and methods for the in vitro modeling diseases of the lung and small airway. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a system for testing responses of a microfluidic Small Airway-on-Chip infected with one or more infectious agents (e.g. respiratory viruses) as a model of respiratory disease exacerbation (e.g. asthma exacerbation). In one embodiment, this disease model on a microfluidic chip allows for a) the testing of anti-inflammatory and/or anti-viral compounds introduced into the system, as well as b) the monitoring of the participation, recruitment and/or movement of immune cells, including the transmigration of cells. In particular, this system provides, in one embodiment, an in-vitro platform for modeling severe asthma as “Severe Asthma-on-Chip.” In some embodiments, this invention provides a model of viral-induced asthma in humans for use in identifying potentially effective treatments.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Remi Villenave, Carolina Lucchesi, Justin Nguyen, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Buket Baddal, Michael Salmon
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Patent number: 11536714Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Kyung Jin Jang, Jacob Fraser, S. Jordan Kerns, Antonio Varone, Dongeun Huh
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Patent number: 11534753Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Chip.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Ville Kujala, Hyoungshin Park, Sonalee Barthakur, Sauveur Jeanty, Brian Zuckerman, Josiah Sliz, Tanvi Shroff, Geraldine A Hamilton, Kyung-Jin Jang, Ananth Nookala, Gang Luo, Donald Mckenzie
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Patent number: 11519903Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Kyung Jin Jang, Jacob Fraser, S. Jordan Kerns, Antonio Varone, Dongeun Huh
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Patent number: 11506653Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Kyung Jin Jang, Jacob Fraser, S. Jordan Kerns, Antonio Varone, Dongeun Huh