CFD-Based Optimization of a Dielectrophoretic Device to Isolate CTCs

Cancer cells that have separated from the main tumor and entered the bloodstream are known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Once there, they may spread to other parts of the body and cause metastases. This work proposes a novel inertial-based dielectrophoresis (DEP) device designed for the separation of CTCs from red blood cells (RBCs). The microchannel features a rectangular zigzag segment combined with a circular curved section, optimized to improve separation efficiency by integrating inertial and DEP forces. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the effects of microchannel depth, applied voltage and frequency, and Reynolds number (Re) on the separation efficiency and trajectory of cells. The simulations identify four optimal scenarios that achieve 100% separation efficiency. Early cancer diagnosis and treatment may benefit from the use of the proposed device for CTC detection.