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Separating Beads and Cells in Multi-channel Microfluidic Devices Using Dielectrophoresis and Laminar Flow
Published on: February 4, 2011
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Particle/cell separation using sheath-free deterministic lateral displacement arrays with inertially focused single
Naotomo Tottori1, Takasi Nisisako1
1Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan. nisisako.t.aa@m.titech.ac.jp.
Lab on a Chip
|May 7, 2020
Summary
This study presents sheath-free microfluidic particle separation using inertial focusing. This method achieves high efficiency in separating particles and cells, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), without traditional sheath streams.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Cell Separation
Background:
- Conventional microfluidic particle separation often relies on sheath streams, which add complexity and volume.
- Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD) is a common technique for size-based particle separation.
- Inertial focusing offers a sheath-free approach for particle manipulation in microchannels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sheath-free microfluidic particle separation method using deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) combined with inertial focusing.
- To investigate the impact of inertial focusing regimes on separation efficiency.
- To demonstrate the method's capability for separating particles of different sizes and biological cells, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
Main Methods:
- Utilized inertial focusing in a straight rectangular channel to align particles before DLD arrays.
- Applied a two-stage inertial focusing model to shorten the side-focusing channel length.
- Separated fluorescent polymer particles (13 μm and 7 μm) and MCF-7 cells from blood cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully separated particles based on size using sheath-free inertial focusing and DLD.
- Demonstrated effective separation of MCF-7 cells (circulating tumor cells model) and blood cells.
- Achieved approximately 99.0% capture efficiency for MCF-7 cells through middle focusing.
Conclusions:
- Sheath-free DLD with inertial focusing is an effective strategy for microfluidic particle and cell separation.
- The method simplifies microfluidic device design by eliminating the need for sheath streams.
- This technique shows promise for applications in diagnostics, such as CTC isolation.
