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Slanted, asymmetric microfluidic lattices as size-selective sieves for continuous particle/cell sorting
Masumi Yamada1, Wataru Seko1, Takuma Yanai1
1Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan. m-yamada@faculty.chiba-u.jp.
Lab on a Chip
|December 16, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a lattice microfluidic chip that acts as a virtual sieve for continuous particle sorting by size. This innovative hydrodynamic method enables precise separation of microparticles and cells, with applications in blood sample purification.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology
- Particle Separation
Background:
- Hydrodynamic microfluidic platforms offer precise particle/cell sorting based on physicochemical properties.
- Continuous particle sorting remains a challenge in microfluidic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a lattice-shaped microfluidic pattern for size-dependent continuous particle sorting.
- To investigate the influence of geometric parameters on particle sorting efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a lattice microfluidic chip with intersecting main and separation channels.
- Engineered asymmetric flow distribution at channel intersections for particle separation.
- Analyzed the effect of channel density and slant angle on sorting behavior.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-accuracy size-dependent continuous particle sorting using the lattice microfluidic pattern.
- Demonstrated successful leukocyte sorting and monocyte purification from diluted blood samples.
- Confirmed that geometric parameters critically influence particle sorting dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The lattice microfluidic chip functions as an effective virtual sieve for continuous particle sorting.
- This system presents a simple, versatile unit operation for microfluidic chemical and biological applications.
- The method holds potential for various cell sorting and purification tasks in diagnostics and research.
