Overview of the Invention (Introduction)

• This patent describes microfluidic devices and systems designed for high-density cell culture and high-throughput cell assays.
• The system enables rapid and automated trapping of single biological specimens (such as embryos) into ordered arrays.
• Its purpose is to improve cell-based experiments by providing precise control over fluid flow and culture conditions.

What is a Microfluidic Device?

• A microfluidic device is a miniaturized system that manipulates very small volumes of liquids in tiny channels – think of it as a network of small roads guiding fluid traffic.
• Such devices are used for culturing cells and conducting assays, allowing researchers to perform multiple tests simultaneously in a controlled environment.

Key Components and Their Functions

• Main Channel System: Consists of an inlet, an outlet, and a central portion divided into several channel segments that guide fluid flow.
• Chambers: Small compartments arranged along the main channel designed to trap and culture individual biological specimens; imagine them as parking spots for cells.
• Medium-Manifold System: A network that delivers fresh culture medium (nutrient solution) to each chamber, much like a central water supply ensures every “parking spot” gets refreshed fuel.
• Connecting Channels and Medium Openings: Pathways that channel the culture medium from the main flow into each chamber while keeping specimens isolated to prevent cross-contamination.

How the Device Works (Step-by-Step Process)

• Fluid Introduction: A fluid containing biological specimens is introduced through the inlet into the main channel system.
• Flow Through the Channels: The fluid travels along the main channel, guided by the engineered channel segments (like cars following designated lanes).
• Specimen Trapping: As the fluid flows, individual specimens are automatically captured in the chambers via medium openings – similar to vehicles being directed into specific parking spaces.
• Nutrient Delivery: Fresh culture medium continuously flows through the medium-manifold system into each chamber, ensuring cells receive essential nutrients (comparable to a steady water supply).
• Testing and Assays: The device can incorporate gradient generators to create different concentrations of test agents, enabling simultaneous testing of multiple conditions.
• Automation and Monitoring: Additional components such as pumps, robotic handlers, and imaging systems work together to automate fluid movement and monitor specimen responses in real time.

Fabrication and Materials

• The device is typically made using polymer microfabrication techniques (for example, soft lithography), which allow precise replication of tiny channel features.
• Common materials include PDMS, PMMA, and other biocompatible polymers that are transparent, supporting high-quality optical imaging.
• These materials ensure that the channels and chambers are accurately molded and that the device provides a suitable environment for cell culture.

Advantages and Applications

• High Throughput: The design allows for hundreds or even thousands of specimens to be cultured and assayed simultaneously.
• Precision and Control: Provides consistent and controlled culture conditions, including precise fluid dynamics and test agent dosing.
• Automation: Reduces manual intervention, increases repeatability, and minimizes the risk of human error.
• Wide Range of Applications: Useful for drug screening, toxicology tests, developmental biology research, and clinical diagnostics.
• Innovative Platform: Acts like a miniaturized laboratory on a chip where multiple experiments can be run in parallel, saving both time and resources.

Summary and Key Conclusions

• This invention offers a novel microfluidic platform that enhances high-density cell culture and high-throughput assays.
• Its design allows for the automated, rapid, and precise handling of biological specimens.
• The system’s versatility and scalability make it valuable for both research and clinical applications.
• Overall, it represents a significant advancement in microfluidics and cell-based experimentation.

观察到的发明概述 (引言)

• 本专利描述了一种用于高密度细胞培养和高通量细胞检测的微流控装置和系统。
• 该系统能快速自动地捕获单个生物样本（例如胚胎），并将它们排列成有序的阵列。
• 其目的是通过对液体流动和培养条件的精确控制来改进基于细胞的实验。

什么是微流控装置？

• 微流控装置是一种微型系统，用于在极小的通道中操控微量液体——可以把它想象成引导液体交通的一系列小路。
• 这些装置用于细胞培养和检测，能在受控环境中同时进行多项实验。

主要组件及其功能

• 主通道系统：由入口、出口以及分为多个通道段的中央部分组成，这些通道段引导液体流动。
• 腔室：沿主通道排列的小隔间，用于捕获和培养单个生物样本；可将其比作细胞的停车位。
• 培养液分配系统：一种网络结构，将新鲜培养液（营养溶液）输送到每个腔室，就像中央供水系统为每个停车位提供水源一样。
• 连接通道和培养液入口：这些通道将培养液从主流引入各个腔室，同时防止样本之间的交叉污染。

装置工作原理（分步过程）

• 液体引入：含有生物样本的液体从入口进入主通道系统。
• 通道内流动：液体沿着主通道流动，由设计好的通道段引导，就像车辆沿着固定车道行驶。
• 样本捕获：随着液体流动，单个样本通过培养液入口自动被捕获到各个腔室中，类似于车辆被引导进入特定停车位。
• 养分供应：通过培养液分配系统不断提供新鲜培养液，确保每个腔室中的细胞获得必需的养分，就像连续不断的水供应。
• 检测与筛选：该装置可集成梯度发生器，以形成不同浓度的测试试剂，实现多种条件下的同时检测。
• 自动化与监控：额外的组件（如泵、机器人处理模块和成像系统）协同工作，实现液体流动的自动化，并实时监测样本反应。

制造与材料

• 该装置通常采用聚合物微制造技术（例如软光刻）制成，能够精确复制微小的通道结构。
• 常用材料包括PDMS、PMMA等生物相容性聚合物，这些材料具有透明性，便于光学成像。
• 这些材料确保通道和腔室能够被准确成型，并为细胞培养提供适宜的环境。

优势与应用

• 高通量：该设计能够同时捕获和培养数百甚至数千个样本。
• 精确控制：提供一致的培养条件，并能对液体流动和试剂浓度进行精确调控。
• 自动化：减少手动操作，提高重复性，降低错误率。
• 广泛应用：适用于药物筛选、毒理测试、发育生物学研究以及临床诊断等领域。
• 创新平台：相当于一个微型实验室芯片，能够并行进行多项实验，节省时间和资源。

总结与关键结论

• 该发明提供了一种新型的微流控平台，增强了高密度细胞培养和高通量检测的能力。
• 其设计实现了生物样本的自动、快速且精确的处理。
• 系统的多功能性和可扩展性使其在科研和临床应用中均具有重要价值。
• 总体来说，它代表了微流控技术和基于细胞实验领域的一项重大进步。