The Need
Current microfluidic systems for long-term perfusion rely heavily on syringe or peristaltic pumps, which are costly, bulky, and require external power and technical expertise. These limitations hinder scalability, accessibility, and usability, especially in resource-limited settings. There is a critical need for a simple, low-cost, and scalable solution to enable sustained, physiologically relevant perfusion in microfluidic devices for applications such as drug screening, cancer research, and tissue engineering.

The Technology
This invention is a pumpless, modular perfusion component that enables sustained hydrostatic pressure-driven flow in microfluidic systems without external power or complex equipment. It consists of a trimmed syringe and a syringe filter, both standard lab items, assembled to create a compact, customizable flow system. By adjusting fluid height and filter characteristics, users can control flow rates and shear stresses. This setup supports long-term perfusion (hours to days) and can be integrated with engineered microvessels for advanced biological modeling.

Commercial Applications
• Drug screening and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling
• Cancer and tumor microenvironment research
• Organ-on-chip and tissue engineering platforms
• Educational and low-resource laboratory settings
• High-throughput microfluidic assay development
• Thermal cooling

Benefits/Advantages
• Pumpless and power-free: Operates without external power or pumps
• Low-cost and accessible: Uses readily available lab materials
• Compact and scalable: Minimizes incubator footprint and enables parallelization
• Customizable flow control: Tunable flow rates via hydrostatic pressure and filter selection
• Enhanced usability: Open-top design allows easy media exchange and integration with imaging