Squeeze-chip: a finger-controlled microfluidic flow network device and its application to biochemical assays

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Microfluidic devices offer miniaturized platforms for various applications.
• Precise flow control in microfluidics often requires complex and expensive instrumentation.
• There is a need for accessible and user-friendly microfluidic systems for biochemical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel microfluidic device operated by finger squeezing.
• To develop an on-chip microfluidic flow control system using check-valves and squeeze-pumps.
• To demonstrate the utility of the device for quantitative biochemical assays without precision instruments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microfluidic device with an integrated network of check-valves and squeeze-pumps.
• Operation of the device through manual finger squeezing for flow control.
• Implementation of quantitative biochemical assays on the fabricated microfluidic platform.

Main Results:

• Successful design and fabrication of a finger-operable microfluidic device.
• Demonstration of on-chip microfluidic flow control via optimized check-valves and squeeze-pumps.
• Validation of the device for performing quantitative biochemical assays without external precision instruments.

Conclusions:

• A novel, easily constructible microfluidic device operated by finger squeezing has been developed.
• The device provides a sophisticated yet simple flow control system for microfluidic applications.
• This technology offers a low-cost, instrument-free solution for performing quantitative biochemical assays, enhancing accessibility.