Smooth Flow Control Systems for Embedded Micropumps on Microfluidic Cell Culture Devices

A flow control system that produces smooth flow for on-chip pneumatic micropumps has been developed. By establishing a flow control system that can achieve smooth flow, fluidic conditions of micro physiological systems can be controlled to accurately mimic biological conditions. Biological experiments can require flow profiles anywhere on the spectrum of smooth flow to highly pulsatile flow. A smooth flow profile can be modified with pumping delays to make the flow profile as pulsatile as desired.