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Capillary flow-driven microfluidic device with wettability gradient and sedimentation effects for blood plasma
M Sneha Maria1,2, P E Rakesh1, T S Chandra2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai-600036, India.
Scientific Reports
|March 4, 2017
Summary
A novel microfluidic device uses capillary action and a unique wettability gradient for efficient blood-plasma separation. This technology yields high-purity plasma quickly, enabling downstream diagnostic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Effective blood-plasma separation is crucial for various diagnostic tests.
- Existing methods can be complex, time-consuming, or require external power sources.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for miniaturized, efficient biological sample processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a capillary flow-driven microfluidic device for efficient blood-plasma separation.
- To investigate the underlying principles of plasma separation using wettability gradients and capillary action.
- To evaluate the device's performance, including separation rate, efficiency, and long-term stability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microfluidic device with a cylindrical well and hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface patterning via oxygen-plasma treatment.
- Utilizing capillary action for blood self-infusion and plasma separation through a 'self-built-in filter' mechanism.
- Modeling and experimental validation of capillary velocity, RBC sedimentation using modified Steinour's model, and contact angle analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved 2.0 μl plasma from <10 μl whole blood in 15 min with 99.9% purification efficiency using a 1.0 mm diameter, 4.0 mm height well.
- Demonstrated successful glucose detection in the separated plasma.
- Confirmed device performance stability over three weeks with proper storage, maintaining wetting properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed capillary flow-driven microfluidic device provides a simple, efficient, and label-free method for blood-plasma separation.
- The device's performance is influenced by well dimensions and blood dilution ratio.
- This technology holds promise for point-of-care diagnostics and other applications requiring rapid plasma isolation.
