Multiphysics simulation of a microfluidic perfusion chamber for brain slice physiology

Biomed Microdevices. 2010 Oct;12(5):761-7. doi: 10.1007/s10544-010-9430-5.

Abstract

Understanding and optimizing fluid flows through in vitro microfluidic perfusion systems is essential in mimicking in vivo conditions for biological research. In a previous study a microfluidic brain slice device (microBSD) was developed for microscale electrophysiology investigations. The device consisted of a standard perfusion chamber bonded to a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel substrate. Our objective in this study is to characterize the flows through the microBSD by using multiphysics simulations of injections into a pourous matrix to identify optimal spacing of ports. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are performed with CFD-ACE + software to model, simulate, and assess the transport of soluble factors through the perfusion bath, the microchannels, and a material that mimics the porosity, permeability and tortuosity of brain tissue. Additionally, experimental soluble factor transport through a brain slice is predicted by and compared to simulated fluid flow in a volume that represents a porous matrix material. The computational results are validated with fluorescent dye experiments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Models, Biological*
  • Perfusion / instrumentation*
  • Physics*
  • Porosity

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • baysilon