A three dimensional thermoplastic microfluidic chip for robust cell capture and high resolution imaging

We present a low cost microfluidic chip integrating 3D micro-chambers for the capture and the analysis of cells. This device has a simple design and a small footprint. It allows the implementation of standard biological protocols in a chip format with low volume consumption. The manufacturing process relies on hot-embossing of cyclo olefin copolymer, allowing the development of a low cost and robust device. A 3D design of microchannels was used to induce high flow velocity contrasts in the device and provide a selective immobilization. In narrow distribution channels, the liquid velocity induces a shear stress that overcomes adhesion forces and prevents cell immobilization or clogging. In large 3D chambers, the liquid velocity drops down below the threshold for cell attachment. The devices can be operated in a large range of input pressures and can even be handled manually using simple syringe or micropipette. Even at high flow injection rates, the 3D structures protect the captured cell from shear stress. To validate the performances of our device, we implemented immuno-fluorescence labeling and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis on cancer cell lines and on a patient pleural effusion sample. FISH is a Food and Drug Administration approved cancer diagnostic technique that provides quantitative information about gene and chromosome aberration at the single cell level. It is usually considered as a long and fastidious test in medical diagnosis. This process can be easily implanted in our platform, and high resolution fluorescence imaging can be performed with reduced time and computer intensiveness. These results demonstrate the potential of this chip as a low cost, robust, and versatile tool adapted to complex and demanding protocols for medical diagnosis.