Spiral Large-Dimension Microfluidic Channel for Flow-Rate- and Particle-Size-Insensitive Focusing by the Stabilization and Acceleration of Secondary Flow.
Anal Chem
; 96(4): 1750-1758, 2024 01 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38215439
ABSTRACT
Inertial microfluidics has demonstrated its ability to focus particles in a passive and straightforward manner. However, achieving flow-rate- and particle-size-insensitive focusing in large-dimension channels with a simple design remains challenging. In this study, we developed a spiral microfluidic with a large-dimension channel to achieve inertial focusing. By designing a unique "big buffering area" and a "small buffering area" in the spiral microchannel, we observed the stabilization and acceleration of secondary flow. Our optimized design allowed for efficient (>99.9%) focusing of 15 µm particles within a wide range of flow rates (0.5-4.5 mL/min) during a long operation duration (0-60 min). Additionally, we achieved effective (>95%) focusing of different-sized particles (7, 10, 15, and 30 µm) and three types of tumor cells (K562, HeLa, and MCF-7) near the inner wall of the 1 mm wide outlet when applying different flow rates (1-3 mL/min). Finally, successful 3D cell focusing was achieved within an optimized device, with the cells positioned at a distance of 50 µm from the wall. Our strategy of stabilizing and accelerating Dean-like secondary flow through the unique configuration of a "big buffering area" and a "small buffering area" proved to be highly effective in achieving inertial focusing that is insensitive to the flow rate and particle size, particularly in large-dimension channels. Consequently, it shows great potential for use in hand-operated microfluidic tools for flow cytometry.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Microfluídica
/
Técnicas Analíticas Microfluídicas
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Anal Chem
/
Anal. chem
/
Analytical chemistry
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article