The present protocol describes a pneumatic microfluidic platform that can be used for efficient microparticle concentration.
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Method Article
Pneumatically Driven Microfluidic Platform for Micro-Particle Concentration
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
The present article introduces a method for fabricating and operating a pneumatic valve to control particle concentration using a microfluidic platform. This platform has a three-dimensional (3D) network with curved fluid channels and three pneumatic valves, which create networks, channels, and spaces through duplex replication with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The device operates based on the transient response of a fluid flow rate controlled by a pneumatic valve in the following order: (1) sample loading, (2) sample blocking, (3) sample concentration, and (4) sample release. The particles are blocked by thin diaphragm layer deformation of the sieve valve (Vs) plate and accumulate in the curved microfluidic channel. The working fluid is discharged by the actuation of two on/off valves. As a result of the operation, all particles of various magnifications were successfully intercepted and disengaged. When this technology is applied, the operating pressure, the time required for concentration, and the concentration rate may vary depending on the device dimensions and particle size magnification.
Introduction
Due to the importance of biological analysis, microfluidic and biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) technologies1,2 are used to develop and study devices for the purification and collection of micromaterials2,3,4. Particle capture is categorized as active or passive. Active traps have been used for external dielectric5, magnetophoretic6, auditory7, visual8, or thermal9 forces acti....
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Protocol
1. Designing the microfluidic platform for particle concentration
- Design the pneumatic microfluidic platform consisting of one pneumatic valve for fluid flow in the 3D flow network and three pneumatic valves for sieve (Vs), fluid (Vf), and particle (Vp) valve operation (Figure 1).
NOTE: Vs blocks concentrate particles from the liquid, and Vf and Vp allow fluid and particle release after concentration. Three pneumatic ports provide compressed air from the fluid/pneumatic supply layer (normally open) and the pneumatic valve light outlet to actuate the valve. The microfluidic channel network is designed wi....
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Results
Figure 8 shows the flow rate of the fluid rates for a four-stage platform operation, as mentioned in Table 2. The first stage is the loading state (a state). The platform was supplied with fluid with all valves open, and the working fluid (Qf) and particles (Qp) are almost identical as the microfluidic channel network exhibits structural symmetry. In the second stage (b state), compressed air was transported to Vs to block the particles, and as the Vs diaphragm deformed, the.......
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Discussion
This platform provides a simple way to purify and concentrate particles of various sizes. Particles are accumulated and released through pneumatic valve control, and no clogging is observed because there is no passive structure. Using this device, the concentration of particles of three sizes is presented. However, the operating pressure, the time required for concentration, and the rate may vary depending on the device dimensions, particle size magnification, and the pressure at Vs18,<.......
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Disclosures
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(Ministry of Science and ICT). (No. NRF-2021R1A2C1011380).
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm puncture | Self procduction | Self procduction | This puncture was made by requesting a mold maker based on the Miltex® Biopsy Punch with Plunger (15110-15) product. |
| 4 inch Silicon Wafer/SU-8 mold | 4science | 29-03573-01 | 4 inch (100) Ptype silicon wafer/SU-8 mold |
| Carboxyl Polystyrene Crosslinked Particle(24.9 μm) | Spherotech | CPX-200-10 | Concentrated bead sample1 |
| Flow meter | Sensirion | SLI-1000 | Flow measurement |
| High-speed camera | Photron | FASTCAM Mini | Observation of concentration |
| Hot plate | As one | HI-1000 | heating plate for curing of liquid PDMS |
| KOVAX-SYRINGE 10 mL/Syringe | Koreavaccine | 22G-10ML | Fill the microfluidic channel with bubble-free demineralized water. |
| Laboratory Conona treater/Atmospheric plasma | Electro-Technic | BD-20AC | Chip bonding/atmospheric plasma |
| Liquid polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS | Dow Corning Inc. | Sylgard 184 | Components of chip |
| Microscope | Olympus | IX-81 | Observation of concentration |
| PEEK Tubes | SAINT-GOBAIN PPL CORP. | AAD04103 | Inject or collect particles |
| Polystyrene Particle(4.16 μm) | Spherotech | PP-40-10 | Concentrated bead sample3 |
| Polystyrene Particle(8.49 μm) | Spherotech | PP-100-10 | Concentrated bead sample2 |
| Pressure controller/μflucon | AMED | μflucon | Control of air pressure |
| Spin coater | iNexus | ACE-200 | spread the liquid PDMS on SU-8 mold |
References
- Whitesides, G. M. The origins and the future of microfluidics. Nature. 442 (7107), 368-373 (2006).
- Desitter, I., et al. A new device for rapid isolation by size and characterization of rare circulating tumor cells. Anticancer Research. 31 (2....
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