Hybrid microfluidics combined with active and passive approaches for continuous cell separation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Microfluidic devices, classified as active or passive, separate cells using external fields or channel structures, respectively.
• Single-module microfluidic systems struggle with complex biological samples, such as whole blood containing rare cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental physics and formats of hybrid microfluidic devices.
• To highlight the advantages of hybrid microfluidics in cell sorting and biomedicine.
• To discuss current challenges and future perspectives in hybrid microfluidic research.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of active microfluidic methods utilizing electric, magnetic, acoustic, and optical fields.
• Analysis of passive microfluidic methods employing channel structures, hydrodynamic forces, and steric hindrances.
• Integration of active and passive techniques in hybrid microfluidic systems.

Main Results:

• Hybrid microfluidics enhances cell separation by processing multi-target cells and enabling multiplexed separation.
• These systems demonstrate higher sensitivity and tunability for a wider operational range compared to single-module devices.
• Current examples showcase the utility of hybrid microfluidics in biomedical applications, particularly for cell sorting.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid microfluidics represents an emerging technique with superior performance for complex cell separation tasks.
• The integration of diverse physical fields offers versatility and stability for advanced biomedical applications.
• Further research into challenges and future directions promises significant advancements in cell sorting technologies.