Abstract: A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid patterning device and liquid patterning method. The liquid patterning device includes: a substrate having a flat bottom and a surface; at least one microstructure formed to vertically protrude from the surface of the substrate and including a plurality of unit microposts so as to have a desired shape; and a liquid mover for moving a liquid to be patterned on the surface of the substrate in another direction from one direction of the microstructure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blood-brain barrier vascular network implemented in a microfluidic chip. The blood-brain bather vascular network structure (BBB on a chip) (in vitro blood-brain bather (BBB)-on-a chip) formed in a microfluidic chip manufactured by a present manufacturing method of the in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-a chip may reconstruct the blood-brain barrier in a real human body more similarly due to a specific cell configuration, compared to the conventional in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-a chip, and thus may be used as a more accurate in vitro blood-brain barrier, and may be used for the development of various cellular therapeutic agents or drugs that work in the treatment of various brain diseases.

Abstract: A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid patterning device and liquid patterning method. The liquid patterning device includes: a substrate having a flat bottom and a surface; at least one microstructure formed to vertically protrude from the surface of the substrate and including a plurality of unit microposts so as to have a desired shape; and a liquid mover for moving a liquid to be patterned on the surface of the substrate in another direction from one direction of the microstructure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-fluid chip for blood vessel formation. The micro-fluid chip of the present invention is constituted by first to fifth channels arranged adjacent to one another on a substrate in sequence, and two or more micro-structures or micro-posts having a gap therebetween are disposed on the interface that each channel forms together with an adjacent channel while contacting the same. Each channel performs a fluidic interaction with a different channel through the gap formed by the micro-structures, and biochemical materials can move therethrough. The micro-fluid chip, according to the present invention, provides a micro-blood vessel having a flat and continuous blood vessel interface outside a body. Furthermore, cancer angiogenesis, cancer intravasation, and cancer extravasation can be modeled using the micro-fluid chip of the present invention. In addition, the micro-fluid chip of the present invention can be used to screen candidate anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid patterning device and liquid patterning method. The liquid patterning device includes: a substrate having a flat bottom and a surface; at least one microstructure formed to vertically protrude from the surface of the substrate and including a plurality of unit microposts so as to have a desired shape; and a liquid mover for moving a liquid to be patterned on the surface of the substrate in another direction from one direction of the microstructure.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for generating concentration gradients of soluble molecules are disclosed herein. Devices and methods for generating in vitro blood vessels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for generating concentration gradients of soluble molecules are disclosed herein. Devices and methods for generating in vitro blood vessels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses, systems and methods for generating concentration gradients of soluble molecules. Also, provided herein devices and methods for generating in vitro blood vessels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems that may generate and maintain a chemical gradient. In one embodiment, the invention provides a source and a sink channel so that a gradient bridge is created. In another embodiment, the gradient bridge creates a stable environment for facilitating molecular events to occur, such as a cell migration, or formation of crystallized molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic systems, including valves and pumps for microfluidic systems. The valves of the invention include check valves such as diaphragm valves and flap valves. Other valves of the invention include one-use valves. The pumps of the present invention include a reservoir and at least two check valves. The reservoir may be of variable volume. The present invention also relates to a flexible microfluidic system. The present invention additionally relates to a method of making microfluidic systems including those of the present invention. The method includes forming a microfluidic system on a master, connecting a support to the microfluidic system and removing the microfluidic system from the master. The support may remain connected to the microfluidic system or the microfluidic system may be transferred to another substrate. The present invention further relates to a method of manipulating a flow of a fluid in a microfluidic system.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses, systems and methods for the efficient generation of gradients.

Abstract: A multi-compartment microfluidic device for enabling fluidic isolation among interconnected compartments and accomplishing centrifugal positioning and/or patterned substrate positioning of biological specimens. Includes micropatterned substrate coupled with optically transparent housing allowing imaging. Housing includes microfluidic region having entry reservoir for accepting first volume of fluid and additional microfluidic region(s) having a second entry reservoir for accepting second volume of fluid less than first volume of fluid to create hydrostatic pressure. A barrier region that couples the microfluidic region with the second microfluidic region enables biological specimen(s) to extend across the microfluidic, barrier region and second microfluidic region. The barrier region includes embedded microgroove(s) having width and height enabling second volume of fluid to be fluidically isolated from first volume of fluid via hydrostatic pressure maintained via the embedded microgroove(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device that combines microfabrication, microfluidic, and surface micropatterning techniques to create a multi-compartment neuronal culturing device that has application across a number of different neuroscience uses. Devices configured in accordance with the invention allow directed growth of neurites and isolation of neurites from their cell bodies. The device can use hydrostatic pressure to isolate insults to one compartment and, thus, expose localized areas of neurons to insults. Due to the high resistance of the microgrooves for fluid transport, insults are contained in the neuritic compartment without appreciable leakage into the somal compartment for a certain period of time (e.g., over 15 h).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fluid. A method for treating a fluid may include combining two or more separate streams into a common stream and then splitting the common stream into a new set of separate streams wherein the separate streams may possess different properties. The separate streams may be combined to produce a gradient, such as a concentration gradient or shear gradient. The apparatus of the invention may provide a network of fluidic channels that may be used to manipulate a fluid to produce, for example, a gradient or a series of solutions containing a substance at varying concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention describes improved microfluidic systems and procedures for fabricating improved microfluidic systems, which contain one or more levels of microfluidic channels. The methods for fabrication the systems disclosed can provide a convenient route to topologically complex and improved microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems can include three-dimensionally arrayed networks of fluid flow paths therein including channels that cross over or under other channels of the network without physical intersection at the points of cross over. The microfluidic networks can be fabricated via replica molding processes utilizing mold masters including surfaces having topological features formed by photolithography. The present invention also involves microfluidic systems and methods for fabricating complex patterns of materials, such as biological materials and cells, on surfaces utilizing the microfluidic systems.

Abstract: Tissue engineering holds enormous potential to replace or restore function to a wide range of tissues. However, the most successful applications have been limited to thin avascular tissues in which delivery of essential nutrients occurs primarily by diffusion. Pursuant to the present invention, a prevascularized, thick tissue construct is created having a network of capillaries with lumens capable of nutrient and origin delivery and forming anastamoses to host vasculature. A tissue transplantation strategy is comprised of (1) in vitro vascularization of a tisue construct, (2) transplantation of prevascularized tissue to wound bed of host where vessels of implantable tissue and host rapidly anastomose, and (3) host-directed remodeling and reorganization of the tissue and vascular network.