Microfluidic embryo and/or oocyte handling device and method

• US 6,193,647 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Illinois
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois
• Inventors: Beebe, David J., Wheeler, Matthew B., Glasgow, Ian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US09/289,137
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 600/33, 600/35, 435/7.2
• US Class Current: 600/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/435 for embryo or ova transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 19/04 for embryo transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0457 passive flow or gravitation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/06 for in vitro fertilization
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/16 Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/10 Perfusion
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/00 Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N

Abstract

A microfluidic embryo handling device and method in which biological rotating of embryos is simulated. Fluid flow is used to move and position embryos without assistance of electrical stimulus or other means which may produce undesired heating of biological medium used as the fluid for transporting and position. Continuous or pulsed flow is maintained around an embryo or embryos in the device. The device provides an excellent simulation of biological conditions and may be used for culturing, sorting, testing, evaluating, fertilizing and other similar typical handling operations. An embryo may be parked at a desired location to carry out such a typical operation, while the microfluidic handling device maintains fluid flow around the embryo.

Claims

1. A microfluidic embryo handling device comprising:

an embryo transport network having a biological medium for movement of embryos inserted therein, said transport network including an approximate embryo scaled embryo fluidic channel to facilitate simulated biological rotating of individual embryos moving within said fluidic channel.

2. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said transport network is formed in a wafer and said embryo fluidic channel comprises a microchannel in said wafer.

3. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a biological medium source for introducing said biological medium into said embryo transport network in a continuous flow manner; and

a control test embryo network fed said biological medium from said biological medium source, said control test embryo network being biologically isolated from said embryo transport network.

4. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a gravity controlled biological medium source for introducing said biological medium into said embryo transport network in a continuous flow manner.

5. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, further comprising a formation in a path defined by said communication channel for holding an embryo at a desired location while maintaining flow of said biological medium past an embryo held at said desired location.

6. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 5, wherein said formation comprises a constriction.

7. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 6, further comprising:

a biological medium source for maintaining flow of said biological medium and for reversing flow of said biological medium to free an embryo held at said desired location.

8. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel has a flat bottom.

9. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel has a V-shaped bottom.

10. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said simulated biological rotating includes rotating and slipping.

11. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controlled biological medium source for introducing said biological medium into said embryo transport network in a continuous flow manner unassisted by electrical stimulus.

12. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein movement of embryos in said embryo transport network is unassisted by electrical stimulus.

13. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said transport network is sealed from surrounding environment and said device further comprises an embryo entrance to said transport network and an embryo exit from said transport network.

14. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 13, wherein said embryo entrance comprises a hole penetrating a sealing member which seals said transport network, said hole maintaining separation between said biological medium and surrounding environment through surface tension.

15. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 14, further comprising a removable cover to seal said hole.

16. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 14, wherein said hole is funnel shaped.

17. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 14, wherein said hole is located in a midstream portion of said transport network.

18. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 13, wherein said embryo entrance comprises a well in fluid communication with said transport network.

19. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 13, wherein said embryo entrance comprises a hanging drop.

20. The microfluidic embryo handling device of claim 1, wherein said fluidic channel comprises an embryo compartment defining a culturing station for an embryo and said device further comprises smaller than embryo diameter fluid flow channels for moving fluid through said embryo compartment.

21. A microfluidic embryo handling device, comprising:

a fluid path for moving an embryo inserted therein by fluid flow unassisted by electrical stimulus;

surfaces defining at least a part of said fluid path and spaced to promote rotating of said embryo as it moves in said fluid path.

22. A method of handling embryos comprising steps of:

moving an embryo through exclusive use of fluid flow;

rotating said embryo as said step of moving is executed.