Fabrication of a Hybrid Microfluidic System Incorporating both Lithographically Patterned Microchannels and a 3D Fiber‐Formed Microfluidic Network

Abstract

A device containing a 3D microchannel network (fabricated using sacrificial melt‐spun microfibers) sandwiched between lithographically patterned microfluidic channels offers improved delivery of soluble compounds to a large volume compared to a simple stack of two microfluidic channel layers. With this improved delivery ability comes an increased fluidic resistance due to the tortuous network of small‐diameter channels.

Hydrogel bioprinted microchannel networks for vascularization of tissue engineering constructs

“…Although bioprinting strategy exhibits several advantages in fabricating well defined microchannels compared to layer-by-layer assembly, the proposed bioprinted sacrificial template materials have been usually associated with cytotoxic reaction byproducts originating from template dissolution. 28, 29 For instance, bioprinted sacrificial glass carbohydrate templates have been reported to require coating with poly (D-lactide-co-glycolide) to prevent osmotic damage to cells enclosed inside the hydrogel. 23 Similarly, highly concentrated Pluronic F127 has shown significant cytotoxic effects.…”

Biomimetic Sensors for Rapid Testing of Water Resources

“…The fluidic pattern of channels is precisely calculated so that upon fabrication of the chip, the resulting fluid flow mimics the properties of circulating blood. From previous studies, the μCCA was used to observe the physiological effects of naphthalene, doxorubicin, and Tegafur, which all have metabolism-dependent toxicity effects in the body [7,41,43]. This microfluidic network enables an accurate physical representation of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) models for PK profile studies of a compound (e.g., toxicant, pharmaceutical, drug candidate, etc.)…”

“…In collaboration with Dr. Michael Shuler's laboratory at Cornell University, we have developed a micro cell culture analog (μCCA) with 3D hydrogel-cell cultures that reproduces multi-organ interactions and enables chemical toxicity studies in a more physiologically relevant environment [41,42]. Specific organ cell-hydrogel cultures (liver, marrow, or tumor) are maintained as discrete populations but are connected by channels mimicking blood flow within the device.…”

“…A polycarbonate base and an additional silicone gasket (0.5 mm thick) are also included to improve sealing of the device. The PDMS fluidic channels mimic the distributed blood flow volume observed in vivo for the organ systems represented on the μCCA device: liver (58%), tumor (18%) and marrow (24%) as determined by the PBPK model ( Figure 21B) [41,48]. The cell lines chosen are HepG2-C3A (liver), HCT-116 (colon cancer tumor), myeloblasts Kasumi-1 (marrow), and each population is encapsulated its own hydrogel matrix (alginate or Matrigel™).…”

“…As an alternative to a peristaltic pump-induced recirculation [41], we adapted the μCCA system to be a pumpless device that functions using gravity-induced flow ( Figure 22A) [42]. The pumpless operation eliminates troublesome bubbles that can form and get trapped within the device channels due to use of a peristaltic pump.…”