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Laser micromachined hybrid open/paper microfluidic chips.
B Chumo1, M Muluneh1, D Issadore1
1School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, Suite 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6321, USA.
Biomicrofluidics
|January 8, 2014
Summary
This study introduces a novel hybrid microfluidic device integrating paper and open channels. This innovation enables precise control of fluid flow for complex assays like cell and bead analysis without external equipment.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Paper-based microfluidics offer low-cost diagnostics but struggle with complex assays.
- Conventional microfluidic devices are effective for assays like bead, emulsion, and cell analysis.
- Translating complex assays to paper microfluidics remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a hybrid microfluidic device integrating paper and open channels.
- To enable precise flow control for complex assays on a single chip.
- To overcome limitations of purely paper-based microfluidic systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hybrid chips using laser-micromachined polymer sheets and filter paper.
- Integration of micro-scale paper channels with conventional open microfluidic channels.
- Utilizing wick-driven paper channels to control flow rates in open channels.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated quantitative control of flow patterns in open channels by modulating paper channel geometry.
- Validated flow rates against Darcy's law.
- Successfully performed hydrodynamic focusing of beads and cells for over 10 minutes without external pumps.
Conclusions:
- The hybrid microfluidic device effectively integrates paper and open channels for advanced assays.
- This technology facilitates complex biological assays, including bead, cell, and emulsion-based applications, in resource-limited settings.
- The device offers a low-cost, instrument-free solution for microfluidic diagnostics.
