摘要:
An apparatus and method for assaying blood-brain barrier properties for drug and drug delivery vehicle screening comprising of a microfluidic apparatus with gaps separating lumen and tissue space enabling formation of tight junctions similar to in vivo conditions using endothelial cells and brain cells.
摘要:
The present invention is a synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network and associated methods. The synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network mimics the structure, fluid flow characteristics, and physiological behavior of physiological microvasculature networks. Computational methods for simulating flow and particle adherence in synthetic and physiological microvascular systems and methods for determining parameters influencing particle adhesion and drug delivery are also described. The invention has many uses including the optimization of drug delivery and microvascular treatments and in describing disease mechanisms that affect the microvasculature such as inflammation, diabetes and hypertension.
摘要:
A synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network and associated methods mimic the structure, fluid flow characteristics, and physiological behavior of physiological microvasculature networks. Computational methods for simulating flow and particle adherence in synthetic and physiological microvascular systems and methods for determining parameters influencing particle adhesion and drug delivery are described with applications in the optimization of drug delivery and microvascular treatments and in describing disease mechanisms that affect the microvasculature.
摘要:
A microfluidic cartridge for isolating biological molecules having a capture chamber containing functionalized solid supports maintained in a fluidized state provides reduced pressure drops and bubble formation during microfluidic extraction. The cartridge may include an electric field lysis chamber and/or a chemical lysis chamber. The electric-field lysis chamber may comprise an electrically insulating structure arranged between two opposing planar electrodes.
摘要:
An apparatus and method for identifying and screening for agents affecting the leukocyte adhesion cascade (LAC) encompassing rolling, adhesion and migration comprises an optically clear, plastic microfluidic chip comprising flow channels with diameters in the range of 10-500 μm. The flow channels are coated with endothelial cells and at least a portion of the flow channels contains 1-30 μm sized openings, optionally filled with a native or synthetic extracellular matrix, that allow leukocyte migration into one or more tissue spaces.
摘要:
A microfluidic cartridge for isolating biological molecules having a capture chamber containing functionalized solid supports maintained in a fluidized state provides reduced pressure drops and bubble formation during microfluidic extraction. The cartridge may include an electric field lysis chamber and/or a chemical lysis chamber. The electric-field lysis chamber may comprise an electrically insulating structure arranged between two opposing planar electrodes.
摘要:
A synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network and associated methods mimic the structure, fluid flow characteristics, and physiological behavior of physiological microvasculature networks. Computational methods for simulating flow and particle adherence in synthetic and physiological microvascular systems and methods for determining parameters influencing particle adhesion and drug delivery are described with applications in the optimization of drug delivery and microvascular treatments and in describing disease mechanisms that affect the microvasculature.
摘要:
Systems and methods for cleansing blood are disclosed herein. The methods include acoustically separating undesirable particles bound to capture particles from formed elements of whole blood. After introducing the capture particles to whole blood containing undesirable particles, the whole blood and capture particles are flowed through a microfluidic separation channel. At least one bulk acoustic transducer is attached to the microfluidic separation channel. A standing acoustic wave, imparted on the channel and its contents by the bulk acoustic transducer, drives the formed elements and undesirable particles bound to capture particles to specific aggregation axes. After aggregating the particles, the formed elements exit the separation channel through a first outlet and are returned to the patient. The undesirable particles, bound to the capture particles, exit through a second outlet and can be discarded to saved for later study.
摘要:
The present invention is an ultrasonic thrombectomy catheter that produces physical forces (shear rates) strong enough to emulsify obstructions such as thrombi and emboli without causing damage to arterial walls. This is accomplished by properly arranging piezoelectric transducers within a catheter and a tubular catheter head separated by a gap to generate acoustic streaming that simultaneously emulsifies the obstruction and sweeps resulting debris into a catheter lumen for removal. The open gap may be formed by supporting struts that connect the catheter to the catheter head. The design of the catheter tip allows the fabrication of catheters capable of removing partial or complete blockages from arteries and other vessels having diameters as small as 2 mm.
摘要:
Disclosed is an electrostatic aerosol concentrator for the concentration of aerosol particles and their collection for subsequent analysis. The concentrator comprises an airflow chamber that includes alternately energized and grounded electrode elements that work in concert to impart radial inward motion to charged aerosol particles and focusing them toward an enriched aerosol outlet. If desired, filtered air inlets may be used to provide a sheath of aerosol-free air along the chamber periphery and prevent deposition of particles onto electrode surfaces. Aerosol particles entering the airflow chamber may carry a positive or negative charge naturally, or a charge may be induced on the particles using a charging section located upstream of the aerosol inlet. Natural or induced charges on the aerosol particles may be used to selectively concentrate subpopulations of aerosol particles from a mixture of particles. For example, bacterial spores or aerosolized viruses may be selectively enriched without concentrating other aerosol particles. The particles of interest are focused and collected at an aerosol rich outlet in a small air volume, while the majority of the airflow, stripped of particles of interest, is purged to the atmosphere through an aerosol lean outlet.