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Geometry effect in multi-step crossflow microfluidic devices for red blood cells separation and deformability
Vera Faustino1,2,3, Diana Pinho4, Susana O Catarino5,6
1Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal. id5778@alunos.uminho.pt.
Biomedical Microdevices
|June 7, 2022
Summary
A new microfluidic device efficiently separates blood components using passive crossflow filters. The MD 3 design demonstrated superior performance, enhancing disease diagnostics through improved cell separation and deformability measurements.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Cell Separation Technology
Background:
- Microfluidic systems offer efficient blood component separation for disease diagnosis (e.g., malaria, diabetes).
- Developing microfluidic devices (MD) for simultaneous blood cell separation and deformability assessment is crucial for advanced diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel multi-step microfluidic device for blood component separation.
- To compare three distinct microfluidic device designs for optimal geometry in separating red blood cells (RBCs) and measuring cell deformability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and testing of three microfluidic device designs featuring passive crossflow filters with pillars.
- Analysis of RBC velocities, cell-free layer (CFL) formation, and RBC quantification at outlets.
- Assessment of cell deformability using hyperbolic constrictions at the device outlets.
Main Results:
- The MD 3 configuration showed the most effective separation, characterized by a wider CFL and reduced RBCs at the outlet.
- All tested designs achieved efficient cell separation due to multiple separation levels.
- The study confirmed the potential for high-efficiency blood cell separation and deformability analysis.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic device, particularly MD 3, shows significant promise for improving disease detection through efficient blood component separation.
- The multi-step design with passive crossflow filters enables simultaneous cell separation and deformability measurements.
- Further enhancements, such as increasing separation levels, can lead to complete blood cell separation from plasma.
