Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a system and method that includes a microfluidic device that can be used in either an extracorporeal or implantable configuration. The device supports efficient and safe removal of carbon dioxide from the blood of patients suffering from respiratory disease or injury. The microfluidic device can be a multilayer device that includes gas channels and fluid channels. Distensible membranes within the device can affect a cross-sectional area of the blood channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting assays on tissue fragment samples including providing a suspension maintaining pump, and a plurality of fluid reservoirs, wherein the fluid reservoirs are configured to hold a volume of fluid. The fluid reservoirs are fluidically coupled to a microfluidic assay chip, wherein the microfluidic assay chip includes a plurality of parallel assay channels, a first inlet port for introduction of a tissue fragment sample into the microfluidic assay ship, and a second inlet port coupled to the fluid reservoir. Each channel of the microfluidic assay chip also includes a retention barrier configured to trap the tissue fragment sample such that the fluid perfuses through the tissue sample, as well as an outlet port fluidically coupled to a waste receptacle.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment module includes a plurality of gas transfer units, having a first polymer layer with a plurality of gas channels, a second polymer layer with a plurality of blood channels, and a gas permeable membrane disposed between the plurality of gas channels and the plurality of blood channels, a fluid transfer unit integrated with the plurality of gas transfer units, and including a third polymer layer having a plurality of fluid collection channels, a fourth polymer layer having a plurality of blood channels, and a fluid permeable membrane disposed between the plurality of fluid collection channels and the plurality of blood channels, and a housing containing the plurality of gas transfer units and fluid transfer unit.

Abstract: A device for treatment of cells with particles is disclosed. The device includes a semi-permeable membrane positioned between two plates, the first plate defining a first flow chamber and comprising a port, a flow channel, a transverse port, and a transverse flow channel, the first flow chamber constructed and arranged to deliver fluid in a transverse direction along the first side of the semi-permeable membrane, the second plate defining a second flow chamber and comprising a port. A method for transducing cells is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fluid with cells and viral particles into a flow chamber adjacent a semi-permeable membrane such that the cells and the viral particles are substantially evenly distributed on the semi-permeable membrane. The method also includes introducing a recovery fluid to suspend the cells and the viral particles, and separating the cells from the viral particles. A method of activating cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for treatment of cells with particles is disclosed. The device includes a semi-permeable membrane positioned between two plates, the first plate defining a first flow chamber and comprising a port, a flow channel, a transverse port, and a transverse flow channel, the first flow chamber constructed and arranged to deliver fluid in a transverse direction along the first side of the semi-permeable membrane, the second plate defining a second flow chamber and comprising a port. A method for transducing cells is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fluid with cells and viral particles into a flow chamber adjacent a semi-permeable membrane such that the cells and the viral particles are substantially evenly distributed on the semi-permeable membrane. The method also includes introducing a recovery fluid to suspend the cells and the viral particles, and separating the cells from the viral particles. A method of activating cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for treatment of cells with particles is disclosed. The device includes a semi-permeable membrane positioned between two plates, the first plate defining a first flow chamber and comprising a port, a flow channel, a transverse port, and a transverse flow channel, the first flow chamber constructed and arranged to deliver fluid in a transverse direction along the first side of the semi-permeable membrane, the second plate defining a second flow chamber and comprising a port. A method for transducing cells is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fluid with cells and viral particles into a flow chamber adjacent a semi-permeable membrane such that the cells and the viral particles are substantially evenly distributed on the semi-permeable membrane. The method also includes introducing a recovery fluid to suspend the cells and the viral particles, and separating the cells from the viral particles. A method of activating cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.

Abstract: A method and system of delivering a charged cargo, such as a biomolecule, to a target structure, such as cells, exosomes, other vesicles or micelles, using an electroactive porous membrane. This method comprises contacting an electroactive porous membrane with a fluid flow toward the membrane. The fluid contains charged biomolecules and the membrane and biomolecules are oppositely charged so that the biomolecules in the fluid are trapped on the membrane as the fluid flows through the pores of the membrane. Acceptor cells of interest are pinned to the membrane by the flow of the fluid, thereby aggregating the cells onto the membrane in close proximity to the trapped biomolecules. Finally, the acceptor cells are permeabilized.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for providing culturing of a number of various tissue types in an air-liquid configuration in a high-throughput format and allowing co-culture of cells as well as application of physiologically relevant flow. A microfluidic cell culturing device is provided that includes a first channel having a first inlet port and a second inlet port, the first channel defined in a first layer. The microfluidic cell culturing device includes a membrane layer having a first surface coupled to the first layer defining the first channel, the membrane layer comprising semipermeable membrane that forms at least a portion of a surface of the first channel. The microfluidic cell culturing device includes a chamber defined in a second layer that exposes a portion the membrane layer to an external environment, wherein the chamber overlaps a portion of the first channel across the membrane layer.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide a cell culture platform with an array of tissue modeling environments and dynamic control of fluid flow. The cell culture platform includes an array of wells that are fluidically coupled by microchannel structures. The dynamically controlled flow of fluid interacts with cells grown within the microchannels.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and associated methods are disclosed. A microfluidic device includes a target entrainment channel and an effluent channel on opposing sides of a semipermeable membrane. A restrictor channel that is narrower than the effluent channel is interposed between the semipermeable membrane and the effluent channel. Fluid that flows from the target entrainment channel, through the semipermeable membrane and the restrictor channel to the effluent channel, pins target cells along the center of the target entrainment channel for electroporation using an electrode in the channel.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide a cell culture platform with an array of tissue modeling environments and dynamic control of fluid flow. The cell culture platform includes an array of wells that are fluidically coupled by microchannel structures. The dynamically controlled flow of fluid interacts with cells grown within the microchannels.

Abstract: The invention provides method of fabricating a scaffold comprising a fluidic network, including the steps of: (a) generating an initial vascular layer for enclosing the chamber and providing fluid to the cells, the initial vascular layer having a network of channels for fluid; (b) translating the initial vascular layer into a model for fluid dynamics analysis; (c) analyzing the initial vascular layer based on desired parameters selected from the group consisting of a characteristic of a specific fluid, an input pressure, an output pressure, an overall flow rate and combinations thereof to determine sheer stress and velocity within the network of channels; (d) measuring the sheer stress and the velocity and comparing the obtained values to predetermined values; (e) determining if either of the shear stress or the velocity are greater than or less than the predetermined values, and (f) optionally modifying the initial vascular layer and repeating steps (b)-(e).

Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic devices, methods for imaging cells, and methods for preparing such microfluidic devices. The microfluidic devices are contemplated to provide advantages for use in imaging of cells and subcellular compartments in an environment that mimics in vivo conditions. The microfluidic devices can used with a microscope equipped with an oil emersion objective lens.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are generally related to a cell culture system. More particularly, the systems and methods enable the culturing and interconnecting of a plurality of tissue types in a biomimetic environment. By culturing organ specific tissue types within a biomimetic environment and interconnecting each of the organ systems in a physiologically meaningful way, experiments can be conducted on in vitro cells that substantially mimic the responses of in vivo cell populations. In some implementations, the system is used to monitor how organ systems respond to agents such as toxins or medications. The system enables the precise and controlled delivery of these agents, which, in some implementations, enables the biomimetic dosing of drugs in humans to be mimicked.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro blood vessel model for investigation of drug induced vascular injury and other vascular pathologies. The in vitro blood vessel model provides two channels separated by a porous membrane that is coated on one side by an endothelial cell layer and is coated on the other side by a smooth muscle cell layer, wherein said model is susceptible to the extravasation of red blood cells across said porous membrane due to drug induced vascular injury.

Abstract: A system and method of using a microfluidic electroporation device for cell treatment is provided. The cell or exosome treatment system can include a microfluidic electroporation device, a voltage source coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the voltage source. The microfluidic electroporation device can include a fluid receptacle, a semipermeable membrane, and a base including a channel in fluid communication with the fluid receptacle and the semipermeable membrane. A first electrode can be positioned within the fluid receptacle and a second electrode coupled to the base. The second electrode is positioned relative to the first electrode to create an electric field sufficient to electroporate cells or exosomes disposed in the fluid receptacle. The controller can be configured to cause the first and second electrodes to apply voltage electroporating the cells and exosomes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. In some implementations, described herein the microfluidic device includes multiple layers that each define infusate, blood, and filtrate channels. Each of the channels have a pressure profile. The device can also include one or more pressure control features. The pressure control feature controls a difference between the pressure profiles along a length of the device. For example, the pressure control feature can control the difference between the pressure profile of the filtrate channel and the pressure profile of the blood channel. In some implementations, the pressure control feature controls the pressure difference between two channels such that the difference varies along the length of the channels by less than 50% of the pressure difference between the channels at the channels' inlets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating an auditory disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a gel-based precursor that includes an inner ear-specific therapeutic compound directly into the cochlea of the subject.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.