The customer aimed to perform highly precise experiments using two 12-well plates and eight pumps to control fluid flow on both the insert side and the well side (apical and basal) of culture inserts. The system needed to replicate in vivo-like conditions while allowing experiments with a variety of reagents.
In addition, the customer required a controller capable of easily programming and automatically executing experimental protocols, including rapid medium exchange, gentle perfusion, and precise adjustment of reagent concentrations.
To meet these requirements, a custom setup was developed using six wells of a 12-well plate. A specially designed lid equipped with liquid dispensing and drainage nozzles was mounted on the plate, enabling controlled reagent injection and fluid removal during experiments.

In addition, the customer requested several detailed specifications to improve usability and safety. The pumps and well plates needed to be securely fixed so that the entire system could be safely moved into an incubator. The pumps also had to be designed for easy installation and removal by hand from above.
Furthermore, the lid was required to be made of metal so that it could be sterilized and reused repeatedly.
The pump connectors were also fixed in place to make connections easier and more reliable.

Challenge and Solution

We first developed a prototype system and then redesigned it based on the customer’s evaluation results, adjusting the dimensions as needed.
As a result, we successfully completed a custom system that met the customer’s specifications.

Custom Fluid Control System Integrating Eight Pumps, Reagent Tubing, and a 12-Well Plate
Reference: Fuenzalida B., et al., A primary cell-based fluidic co-culture model to investigate drug transport across the human placenta. The Journal of Physiology, 2026.

Pump equipped with a mounting bracket to enable removal from above

Custom-designed lid

Another challenge arose when the conventional controller used in this project became unavailable due to semiconductor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this issue, we have developed a new controller.
In addition, a calibration function was implemented in the control program to compensate for the slight flow rate differences among the eight pumps, eliminating the need for manual fine adjustments.
With this mechanism, stable fluid control can be maintained even when multiple pumps are operated simultaneously. This allows experiments to be conducted with high reproducibility without the complexity of manual adjustments.
This system has recently been reported in a scientific publication as an in vitro model for evaluating maternal–fetal transport across the human placenta.
(Fuenzalida B., et al., A primary cell-based fluidic co-culture model to investigate drug transport across the human placenta. The Journal of Physiology, 2026.)

Although the model does not fully reproduce the complexity of the placenta, the incorporation of dynamic flow enables the reproduction of key transport phenomena. As a result, it contributes to improved reproducibility and accuracy of experimental data compared with conventional static culture systems.
Our company also provides custom-built systems starting from a single unit, tailored to the specific research objectives of our customers.
We will continue supporting researchers and innovators around the world and contributing to the advancement of science.

Access the paper here