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Biocompatible High-Resolution 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices: Integrated Cell Chemotaxis Demonstration.
Mawla Boaks1, Connor Roper2, Matthew Viglione1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
Micromachines
|August 26, 2023
Summary
We developed a 3D printing method using a biocompatible resin and spectral shaping for high-resolution microfluidic devices. This enables rapid fabrication of integrated devices for cell chemotaxis studies with reliable performance.
Area of Science:
- Biocompatible materials
- Microfluidics
- 3D printing technology
Background:
- High-resolution 3D printing of microfluidic devices is challenging.
- Biocompatible resins are crucial for cell-based assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a 3D printing method for high-resolution microfluidic devices using a biocompatible resin.
- To enable rapid fabrication of integrated devices for cell chemotaxis studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized avobenzone-based biocompatible resin with spectrally shaped 3D printer light source.
- Achieved high out-of-plane resolution by limiting optical penetration depth.
- Fabricated microfluidic devices with features as small as 15 μm and integrated components like valves and pumps.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated printing of 15 μm pillars with 7.7 μm separation and 5 μm layers.
- Showcased reliable membrane valves tested to 1,000,000 actuations.
- Successfully created and tested integrated microfluidic devices for cell chemotaxis, showing comparable results to external systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D printing method enables high-resolution, biocompatible microfluidic device fabrication.
- Integrated devices are effective for cell chemotaxis studies, offering rapid and comparable performance to traditional setups.
- The process is rapid, with device fabrication times of 8 and 15 minutes.
