Supply System

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a supply (perfusion) system for delivering, mixing, and precisely controlling fluids—especially for tissue or cell culture experiments. The core invention uses a layered design, where at least two separate fluid channels feed into a mixing chamber and then out to a sample. The system is constructed from interchangeable and easily manufactured parts, such as rigid or flexible plates with integrated channels, allowing for fast, sterile, and customizable set-ups. The design aims to overcome contamination, complexity, and cleaning issues found in previous systems, while enabling precise temperature, flow, and pressure control, including for high-pressure applications.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Perfusing (feeding) tissue or cell cultures in biological and medical research.
• Delivering mixed chemical or pharmaceutical solutions in laboratory experiments.
• Providing controlled environments for patch-clamp or electrophysiological studies (e.g. retinal tissue).
• Drug screening or toxicology testing with different fluid compositions on cells or tissues.
• Applications in microfluidic systems and lab-on-a-chip technologies.
• Handling or treating sensitive samples (e.g. cancerous tissue, organ cultures) under defined temperature and pressure conditions.
• Mixing and delivering solutions for crystallization or material science experiments.
• Integration into advanced imaging platforms such as confocal or two-photon microscopes for live cell studies.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces risk of cross-contamination between fluid lines due to integrated mixing and easily replaceable components.
• Enables sterile or germ-free operation thanks to single-use, easily manufactured component layers.
• Compact and easily integrated into existing laboratory setups (e.g. microscopes).
• Highly customizable channel layouts for specific experiments.
• Allows for precise and reproducible control over flow, pressure, and temperature, even at elevated pressures.
• Minimizes cleaning and maintenance, as contaminated parts can be replaced instead of cleaned.
• Improves temperature regulation and control on delivered fluids and samples due to optimized channel design.
• Enhances experimental flexibility and efficiency by allowing rapid switching between different fluids or conditions.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a supply system comprising at least two supply lines that lead to a mixing chamber provided with an outlet line for the mixed fluids. Said supply system comprises a layer system having at least two layers, the first layer (7) being a flow element integrating the mixing chamber (11), at least two channels (10, 10a) that lead into the mixing chamber, and an outlet channel (12) that extends from the mixing chamber (11) to a sample or a substrate, and the second layer (8) is sealingly applied to the first layer (7). The supply system is used to perfuse tissue or cell cultures with fluids.