High-Throughput Organ on a Chip System

Technology 

This microfluidic technology operates by integrating thin elastomeric membranes and thermoplastic materials into a bonded chip structure. First, optically clear and biocompatible thermoplastic layers—such as cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)—are laminated together using a thermal press or roll laminator, with a custom elastomer diaphragm sandwiched between them. These membranes are shaped and bonded to form functional components such as pump chambers, valves, and pressure regulators that can be actuated by external pneumatic signals (e.g., via compressed gas or vacuum). During operation, pneumatic actuation deflects the elastomer diaphragm, enabling precise fluid displacement through microchannels. Additional features such as on-chip accumulators, pressure sensors, and hydrogel scaffolds can be integrated to support advanced fluid handling, tissue culture, and pressure sensing—all in a scalable, disposable format. 

Problem Addressed 

This technology addresses several key challenges in traditional microfluidic device fabrication, including poor biocompatibility, small molecule absorption, limited optical clarity, unreliable bonding, and lack of scalable integration for fluid control. Traditional PDMS-based systems can absorb small molecules or leach uncured oligomers, distorting assay results and compromising cell viability. Additionally, PDMS-glass bonding is incompatible with scalable thermoplastic fabrication, and its mechanical properties limit the reliability of on-chip pumps and valves. This new approach overcomes these challenges by using engineered thermoplastics and elastomeric membranes, along with novel bonding and fabrication methods, to enable robust, high-throughput, and physiologically relevant microphysiological systems. 

Advantages 

• Improved biocompatibility and chemical resistance using thermoplastics such as COC 
• High optical clarity for real-time imaging and fluorescence-based assays 
• Reliable integration of microfluidic components (e.g., pumps, valves, pressure regulators) via elastomeric membranes 
• Scalable, mass-producible fabrication methods compatible with roll-to-roll lamination and laser micromachining 
• Modular, high-throughput design enabling simultaneous control of multiple chips for advanced cell culture studies 

Publications 

• Edington, Collin D., et al. 2017. “Integration of Systems Biology with Organs-on-Chips to Humanize Therapeutic Development.” In Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XV, edited by Bonnie L. Gray and Holger Becker. Proceedings of SPIE 10061, 1006113.  https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2256078