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: A microchannel cell culture device is disclosed. The microchannel cell culture device includes a well plate defining an array of tissue modeling environments. A cell culture system including the microchannel cell culture device is also disclosed. The cell culture system includes a plurality of optical sensors, a platform, and a light source. A method of high throughput screening cell biological activity with the microchannel cell culture device is disclosed. A method of measuring oxygen consumption rate of cells in the microchannel cell culture device is disclosed. A method of facilitating drug development with the microchannel cell culture device is also 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 multi-lumen catheter includes a primary lumen having a proximal end and a tip and a secondary lumen parallel to the primary lumen. The primary lumen and the secondary lumen share a wall. A port is defined in the wall proximate the tip of the primary lumen and provides fluidic communication between the primary lumen and the secondary lumen.

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: 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: This disclosure provides systems and methods for integrating an array of electronic sensors capable of performing trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements into a microfluidic device that includes a well plate. In some implementations, the sensors can include electrodes that are submerged into fluidically connected wells of the microfluidic device, which can contain an electrically conductive fluid such as the cell culture media or a buffered salt solution. An array of such electrodes can be integrated into a lid of the system that includes the microfluidic device. These electrodes can be routed using a printed circuit board through a number of multiplex switches that can allow addressing of a desired unit of the device through a microprocessor in communication with a computer.

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: A catheter includes an elongated tube having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongated tube includes porous material having an interior and an exterior face. The interior face defines a lumen along a central axis of the elongated tube. The porous material is configured to flow a fluid between the interior face and the exterior face and to seep the fluid out of the porous material through the exterior face and interior face. A lining covers at least a portion of the exterior face and substantially limits perfusion through the exterior face at the portion of the exterior face covered by the lining. The catheter is impregnated with a material that prevents buildup of material on one of an inner face or an outer face of the catheter or the lining is coated with one or more of an anticoagulant, antibiotic, or antithrombotic.

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: 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: The present disclosure describes a device and method to clear solutes from a patient's blood while maintaining fluid balance. In some implementations, the device and method is used to assist the filtration functions of a patient's liver or kidney. The device includes a plurality of hollow fibers that pass through a sequence of alternating filtration chambers and infusion chambers. The filtration chambers filter the patient's blood while the infusion chambers rehydrate the filtered blood.

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 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: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for use in transducing, activating, and otherwise treating cells. Cells are introduced into an inner layer of a multi-layered stack that defines at least one flow chamber and a plurality of cell entrainment regions. Vertical flow through the stack entrains the cells in the cell entrainment regions along with genetic information introduction agents or other additives, before the cells are washed using a reverse vertical flow and are collected from the device.

Abstract: An compact hydraulic manifold for transporting shear sensitive fluids is provided. A channel network can include a trunk and branch architecture coupled to a bifurcation architecture. Features such as tapered channel walls, curvatures and angles of channels, and zones of low fluid pressure can be used to reduce the size while maintaining wall shear rates within a narrow range. A hydraulic manifold can be coupled to a series of microfluidic layers to construct a compact microfluidic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for use in transducing, activating, and otherwise treating cells. Cells are introduced into an inner layer of a multi-layered stack that defines at least one flow chamber and a plurality of cell entrainment regions. Vertical flow through the stack entrains the cells in the cell entrainment regions along with genetic information introduction agents or other additives, before the cells are washed using a reverse vertical flow and are collected from the device.

Abstract: A compact hydraulic manifold for transporting shear sensitive fluids is provided. A channel network can include a trunk and branch architecture coupled to a bifurcation architecture. Features such as tapered channel walls, curvatures and angles of channels, and zones of low fluid pressure can be used to reduce the size while maintaining wall shear rates within a narrow range. A hydraulic manifold can be coupled to a series of microfluidic layers to construct a compact microfluidic device.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tube having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongated tube includes porous material having an interior and an exterior face. The interior face defines a lumen along a central axis of the elongated tube. The porous material is configured to flow a fluid between the interior face and the exterior face and to seep the fluid out of the porous material through the exterior face and interior face. A lining covers at least a portion of the exterior face and substantially limits perfusion through the exterior face at the portion of the exterior face covered by the lining. The catheter is impregnated with a material that prevents buildup of material on one of an inner face or an outer face of the catheter or the lining is coated with one or more of an anticoagulant, antibiotic, or antithrombotic.