Abstract: An in vitro or an ex vivo method for determining the effect of a biological sample on a biological interface in particular, includes the implementation of a bioreceptor having a multi-compartment microfluidic device incorporating a relevant cell co-culture to which the sample is applied. The response of the neural network to the sample, in particular a change in the cell/neural network, is recorded and subsequently analyzed. A differential diagnosis is subsequently carried out by comparing the network markers for true positives and the test samples.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for determining a microfluidic circuit configured to reproduce a neuron circuit, and comprising including the following steps: —obtaining a description of the neuron circuit, the description of the neuron circuit comprising a plurality of neuron populations and at least one neuron connection; —determining at least one first parameter for each node of a plurality of nodes of the microfluidic circuit, each node being associated with and configured to receive one neuron population among the plurality of neuron populations of the neuron circuit; —determining at least one second parameter for at least one connection of the microfluidic circuit, each connection being associated with and configured to receive a neuron connection of the at least one neuron connection of the neuron circuit; —determining the positioning of each node of the plurality of nodes and of each connection of the at least one connection.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for determining a microfluidic circuit configured to reproduce a neuron circuit, and comprising including the following steps: —obtaining a description of the neuron circuit, the description of the neuron circuit comprising a plurality of neuron populations and at least one neuron connection; —determining at least one first parameter for each node of a plurality of nodes of the microfluidic circuit, each node being associated with and configured to receive one neuron population among the plurality of neuron populations of the neuron circuit; —determining at least one second parameter for at least one connection of the microfluidic circuit, each connection being associated with and configured to receive a neuron connection of the at least one neuron connection of the neuron circuit; —determining the positioning of each node of the plurality of nodes and of each connection of the at least one connection.

Abstract: Method for producing a microfluidic device, the method comprising a step of producing a master mould, the master mould comprising a first support member and a second support member, the second support member comprising a substrate and microstructures, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the step of producing the master mould comprising the following sub-steps:—producing the second support member by forming the microstructures on the first surface of the substrate;—3D printing the first support member using a 3D printer, with a printing resin, the dimensions of the first support member being coordinated with the dimensions of the substrate in order to hold the substrate;—inserting the substrate of the second support member into the first support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes an input zone adapted to receive a carrier fluid medium and a sample in suspension in the carrier fluid medium, the sample comprising at least one population of cells or microparticles, a confinement zone adapted to confine a selected amount of the sample, and an output zone adapted to discharge the carrier fluid medium and the sample in suspension in the carrier fluid medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical device for detecting an electric field emitted locally by a sample (100), comprising an upper (20) and a lower (21) polarizer, an active layer of liquid crystals (30) of variable polarization included between an upper (50) and a lower (51) alignment layer, having two perpendicular directions of alignment, and an upper (60) and lower (61) electrode liable to be connected to an AC voltage source (70) such that when a voltage difference (Vext) is applied, the layer of liquid crystals is immersed in the electric field formed between the two electrodes. It is essentially characterized in that it comprises a layer of anisotropic electrical conductors (40) in contact with the upper alignment layer or separated therefrom by the upper polarizer, the conductors being configured to transmit said electric field in only one direction secant to the alignment layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical device for detecting an electric field emitted locally by a sample (100), comprising an upper (20) and a lower (21) polarizer, an active layer of liquid crystals (30) of variable polarization included between an upper (50) and a lower (51) alignment layer, having two perpendicular directions of alignment, and an upper (60) and lower (61) electrode liable to be connected to an AC voltage source (70) such that when a voltage difference (Vext) is applied, the layer of liquid crystals is immersed in the electric field formed between the two electrodes. It is essentially characterized in that it comprises a layer of anisotropic electrical conductors (40) in contact with the upper alignment layer or separated therefrom by the upper polarizer, the conductors being configured to transmit said electric field in only one direction secant to the alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sizing a microfluidic device for confining a sample. The sample to be confined can include cells (biological sample) or microparticles suspended in a carrier fluid medium. The present invention also relates to a method for sizing a microfluidic device for confining an explant contained in a cell culture fluid medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining Clausius-Mossotti Factors ‘CMF’ of a solution of colloidal particles, comprising the following steps: putting said solution of colloidal particles (1) in contact with at least a pair of coplanar electrodes (3a, 3b) arranged on a substrate (5); placing colloidal particles in specific locations with reference to said electrodes; applying an AC electric field with an adapted dielectrophoretic ‘DEP’ frequency between each pair of electrodes, so that the colloidal particles move away from said specific locations by DEP forces, the motion of the colloidal particles being dictated by a DEP regime; determining velocities of the moving colloidal particles during the DEP regime, said velocities being determined along the electric field gradient direction; and calculating the CMF of said colloidal particles by using said velocities.