Flow through device for determination of the penetration rate of chemicals across biological membranes in vitro

摘要

An apparatus for determining in vitro the penetration rate of chemicals across a biological membrane. The apparatus comprises two housings, one holding a reservoir of test chemical, and the other providing a chamber for flowing receptor solution across a membrane held in a membrane holding compartment. The membrane holding compartment comprises a cylindrical depression surrounding an open end of the receptor solution chamber. The receptor solution chamber is tilted slightly with its higher end open to the membrane holding compartment. The tilt prevents bubbles in the receptor solution from becoming stalled or trapped inside the chamber and interfering with the reliability and reproducibility of tests. An inlet bore from the upper surface of the receptor housing leads to a closed end of the chamber inside the receptor housing. An outlet bore leads from the top of the open end of the chamber near the membrane holding compartment to the upper surface of the receptor housing. The inlet bore is sized smaller than the outlet bore. The depth of the depression forming the membrane holding compartment varies, tapering from a lesser depth at its intersection with the chamber to a greater depth at the outer circumference of the depression. The thus- formed truncated cone ensures that a sample biological membrane is stretched taut over the chamber opening by the force fastening the reservoir housing to the receptor solution housing. The invention includes the method taught by the disclosed apparatus.