SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING A BIOLOGICAL CHIP DEVICE

• US 20070254004A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spencer Rosero
• Original Assignee: Spencer Rosero
• Inventors: Rosero, Spencer
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/423
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/10 Means to control humidity and/or other gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/185 using a liquid as fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1894 Cooling means; Cryo cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/14 Scaffolds; Matrices in general C12N5/0068
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/10 Rotating vessel
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/36 of biomass, e.g. colony counters or by turbidity measurements electrooptical investigation of individual particles G01N15/14, flow cytometers G01N15/1404
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/46 : of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability

Abstract

A support apparatus for maintaining, storing, and transporting biological materials, such as cells. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the biologic materials may be integrated to an electronic component to form a biological chip device, which may be supported, transported, and adapted for interconnection with other such devices through the use of a support apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the support apparatus can generate signals and/or translate signals received for processing and/or relaying to another device or module (e.g., another support apparatus). A plurality of biological chip devices and associated support apparatuses can be supported and linked in a network to perform various desired functions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting biological materials, the apparatus comprising:

a housing for providing a sustaining environment to biological materials which may be placed therein;

a fluid source for supplying a fluid to the sustaining environment in the housing;

a nutrient source for supplying nutrients to the sustaining environment in the housing;

a waste processing portion for removing waste products from the sustaining environment in the housing;

an excitation emitter for transferring energy to the housing; and

an energy transfer portion for transferring energy from the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion being disposed within the outer portion to form a space therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the inner portion of the housing is adapted to provide the sustaining environment to a three-dimensional arrangement of living cells.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inner portion includes a bio-compatible support matrix formed of a complex collagen adapted to hold the three-dimensional arrangement of living cells.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the space between the inner and outer portions of the housing includes a gel having desired thermal characteristics.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the space between the inner and outer portions of the housing includes a thermal control element.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the space between the inner and outer portions of the housing includes an environmental sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the housing is adapted to maintain the fluid in the sustaining environment in at least partial fluid contact with biological materials being supported within the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fluid is in a phase selected from the group consisting of liquid, gas, and plasma.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fluid is at least partially a liquid, the liquid adapted to be in contact with biological materials being supported within the housing by occupying more than a specified volume of the inner portion of the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a holding portion for holding the biological materials, the holding portion located within the inner portion to facilitate fluid contact with biological materials being supported within the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein fluid contact with biological materials is maintained regardless of orientation of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the inner portion of the housing is generally spherical.

14. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the inner portion is adapted to substantially maintain an orientation within the apparatus due to gravitational effects.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a biocompatible enclosure.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the enclosure is adapted to form a watertight seal.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biological materials to be supported include a biological materials component of a biological chip device.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sustaining environment provides a liquid and gas interface for the biological materials to be supported.

19. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the inner portion of the housing is adapted to spin about a spin axis.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the spin axis is adjustable.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inner portion is adapted to spin continuously.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inner portion is adapted to spin intermittently.

23. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a fluid transfer conduit for providing the fluid supplied by the fluid source to a fluid exchange.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the fluid exchange is located within the inner portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the nutrient source and fluid source is a fluid pump.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the fluid pump is a hydrostatic pump.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the fluid pump is an osmotic pump.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the fluid pump is powered by gravity.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the fluid pump provides a pulsatile flow.

30. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a connection strut for coupling a biological chip device disposed within the inner portion to external services.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation emitter is an electromagnetic energy source.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the electromagnetic energy source is selected from the group consisting of light, electrical, and radiation sources.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation emitter is a mechanical energy source.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation emitter is a thermal energy source.

35. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy transferred to the housing by the excitation emitter is used to trigger an event.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy transfer portion is adapted to transfer electromagnetic energy from the housing.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the electromagnetic energy being transferred from the housing contains information about any of cell growth, cell shape, cell division, and cell function associated with the biological materials.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the electromagnetic energy is transferred from the housing photodetectors.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the photodetectors are adapted to sense light signals provided by the biological materials.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the photodetectors are adapted to sense light signals provided by one or more fluorescent proteins.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the photodetectors are adapted to sense light signals provided by green fluorescent protein.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the photodetectors are adapted to sense optical characteristics of light signals from the biological materials.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein optical characteristics of light signals are sensed using reflectometry.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein light signals are compared to a baseline signal.

45. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the photodetectors are adapted to sense morphological changes in light signals from the baseline signal.

46. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy transfer portion is adapted to transfer mechanical energy from the housing.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the mechanical energy is sensed using one or more stress/strain gages.

48. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy transfer portion is adapted to transfer thermal energy from the housing.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein thermal energy from the housing is sensed using thermocouples.

50. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waste processing portion includes a source of electromagnetic energy for neutralizing waste.

51. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waste processing portion includes a charge-based filter to facilitate removal of waste.

52. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waste processing portion includes one or more pumps for removing waste from the housing.

53. A method of supporting biological materials associated with biological chip devices, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a housing adapted to support biological materials in a sustaining environment within the housing;

supplying a fluid to the sustaining environment;

supplying nutrients to the sustaining environment;

controlling a temperature of the sustaining environment;

controlling a fluid parameter of the sustaining environment; and

removing waste products from the container.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising placing a biological chip device within the housing.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the biological chip device includes both a biological materials component and an electronics component.

56. The method of claim 53 further comprising transferring energy from the biological materials.

57. The method of claim 53 further comprising storing the biological materials being supported within the housing.

58. The method of claim 53 further comprising transporting the biological materials being supported within the housing.

59. A method of communicating between biological materials to form a network, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of support apparatuses for supporting biological materials, each apparatus having a housing adapted to provide a sustaining environment to biological materials placed within the housing;

placing biological materials within the housing of one or more support apparatuses;

supplying nutrients to the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;

supplying fluids to the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;

controlling a temperature of the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;

controlling a fluid parameter of the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;

removing waste products from the container; and

coupling a signal from the biological materials in a first support apparatus to the biological materials in a second support apparatus.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein a signal is coupled between the first and second support apparatus via a fluid flow coupling.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the fluid flow coupling is provided by activation of biological materials in one of the first and second support apparatuses.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the activation of biological materials causes a change in a position of a flow control valve between the first and second support apparatuses.

63. The method of claim 59 wherein a signal is coupled between the first and second support apparatus via an electromagnetic coupling.

64. The method of claim 59 wherein a signal is coupled between a support apparatus and a central processing unit.

65. The method of claim 59 wherein at least one support apparatus includes an internal central processing unit.

66. The method of claim 59 wherein the biological materials placed within at least one housing are associated with a biological chip device, the biological chip device having a biological materials component and an electronics component.

67. The method of claim 59 further comprising transferring energy from the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses.

68. The method of claim 63 wherein the electromagnetic coupling includes a conductive connection.

69. The method of claim 63 wherein the electromagnetic coupling includes an RF coupling.

70. The method of claim 63 wherein the electromagnetic coupling includes an optical coupling.

71. The method of claim 63 wherein the electromagnetic coupling includes an ultrasonic connection.

72. The method of claim 65 wherein the at least one support apparatus having an internal CPU further comprises software enabling said apparatus to function in either a stand-alone or networked mode.

73. The method of claim 59 wherein at least one support apparatus includes an electrical power source.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the electrical power source is rechargeable.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the electrical power source is adapted to be recharged from other support apparatuses when in a networked configuration.

76. The method of claim 59 wherein at least one support apparatus includes an oxygen source.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the oxygen source is a backup source.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the backup oxygen source is made available when a networked supply of oxygen is unavailable.

79. A biological chip device for sensing and responding to an environment, the device comprising:

a biological materials component comprising living cells; and

an electronic materials component;

the biological materials component being adapted to be supported within a housing of a support apparatus, the support apparatus being adapted to;

(a) supply nutrients to the cells being supported;

(b) supply fluids to the cells being supported;

(c) control a temperature of the cells being supported;

(d) control a fluid parameter of the cells being supported; and

(e) remove waste products from the housing.

80. The device of claim 79 wherein the biological materials component is adapted to receive excitation energy from the support apparatus.

81. The device of claim 80 wherein the biological materials component is adapted to respond to excitation energy by releasing energy detectable by the support apparatus.

82. The device of claim 79 wherein the biological chip device is adapted to sense and respond to an environment comprising a bloodstream of a living organism.

83. An implantable device for sensing and responding to a physiological environment, the device comprising:

one or more support apparatuses, each support apparatus comprising

a housing for providing a sustaining environment to biological materials placed therein,

a fluid source for supplying fluid to the sustaining environment,

a nutrient source for supplying nutrients to the sustaining environment, and

a waste processing portion for removing waste products from the sustaining environment;

an input portion for receiving the environment to be sensed, and exposing at least a portion of the biological materials to the environment; and

an output portion for detecting a response of the biological materials to exposure to the environment, and providing an indication of the response.

84. The device of claim 83 wherein the physiological environment is a bloodstream of a living organism.

85. The device of claim 84 wherein biological materials are selected to respond to changes in blood sugar level.

86. The device of claim 84 wherein the output portion provides an indication of blood sugar level.

87. The device of claim 84 wherein the device provides instructions to administer insulin in response to a high blood sugar level.

88. The device of claim 84 wherein the output portion is further adapted to elute a drug to the environment.