Microelectronics & Microfluidics: 3D Multimodal Interfacing with Soft Biological Materials

Abstract

Rigid, invasive, planar microelectronic and microfluidic devices disrupt the human body upon insertion and collect data during this perturbed condition. A novel, soft electrophysiology system has been designed for minimally invasive electrical stimulation and monitoring of soft 3D biological tissue. Here we expand on this system to support the long-term creation of a multimodal electrophysiology and microfluidic system capable of both electrical and biochemical stimulation and monitoring of cardiomyocytes. Fluid dynamics simulations and Two-Photon Polymerization-based 3D printing techniques have been employed to build 3D microfluidic channel networks from biocompatible resin. We explore the relationship between outlet channel radius and flow rate through the microfluidic network as a preliminary model of spatiotemporally controlled flow. This research will inform long-term multimodal approaches to screening cardiac-modulating therapeutics by monitoring electrical activity in response to targeted therapy.