title: Multi-layered, membrane-integrated microfluidics based on replica molding of a thiol-ene epoxy thermoset for organ-on-a-chip applications.
abstract: In this study we have investigated a photosensitive thermoset (OSTEMER 322-40) as a complementary material to readily fabricate complex multi-layered microdevices for applications in life science. Simple, versatile and robust fabrication of multifunctional microfluidics is becoming increasingly important for the development of customized tissue-, organ- and body-on-a-chip systems capable of mimicking tissue interfaces and biological barriers. In the present work key material properties including optical properties, vapor permeability, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility are evaluated for cell-based assays using fibroblasts, endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells. The excellent bonding strength of the OSTEMER thermoset to flexible fluoropolymer (FEP) sheets and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membranes further allows for the fabrication of integrated microfluidic components such as membrane-based microdegassers, microvalves and micropumps. We demonstrate the application of multi-layered, membrane-integrated microdevices that consist of up to seven layers and three membranes that specially confine and separate vascular cells from the epithelial barrier and 3D tissue structures.
authors.affiliation: BioSensor Technologies, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria. peter.ertl@ait.ac.at.
authors.forename: Drago
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sticker
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rothbauer
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: Marie-Therese
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hehenberger
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ertl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C013830:baysilon