1
|
Mardanpour MM, Sudalaiyadum Perumal A, Mahmoodi Z, Baassiri K, Montiel-Rubies G, LeDez KM, Nicolau DV. Investigation of air bubble behaviour after gas embolism events induced in a microfluidic network mimicking microvasculature. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2518-2536. [PMID: 38623600 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00087k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Gas embolism is a medical condition that occurs when gas bubbles are present in veins or arteries, decreasing blood flow and potentially reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs, such as the brain. Although usually reported as rare, gas embolism can lead to severe neurological damage or death. However, presently, only limited understanding exists regarding the microscale processes leading to the formation, persistence, movement, and resolution of gas emboli, as modulated by microvasculature geometrical features and blood properties. Because gas embolism is initially a physico-chemical-only process, with biological responses starting later, the opportunity exists to fully study the genesis and evolution of gas emboli using in vitro microfluidic networks mimicking small regions of microvasculature. The microfluidics networks used in this study, which aim to mimic microvasculature geometry, comprise linear channels with T-, or Y-junction air inlets, with 20, 40, and 60 μm widths (arterial or venous), and a 30 μm width honeycombed network (arterial) with three bifurcation angles (30°, 60°, and 90°). Synthetic blood, equivalent to 46% haematocrit concentrations, and water were used to study the modulation of gas embolism-like events by liquid viscosity. Our study shows that (i) longer bubbles with lower velocity occur in narrower channels, e.g., with 20 μm width; (ii) the resistance of air bubbles to the flow increases with the higher haematocrit concentration; and lastly (iii) the propensity of gas embolism-like events in honeycomb architectures increases for more acute, e.g., 30°, bifurcation angles. A dimensionless analysis using Euler, Weber, and capillary numbers demarcated the conditions conducive to gas embolism. This work suggests that in vitro experimentation using microfluidic devices with microvascular tissue-like structures could assist medical guidelines and management in preventing and mitigating the effects of gas embolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdi Mardanpour
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | | | - Zahra Mahmoodi
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Karine Baassiri
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Gala Montiel-Rubies
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Kenneth M LeDez
- Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Dan V Nicolau
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fallah K, Fattahi E. Splitting of droplet with different sizes inside a symmetric T-junction microchannel using an electric field. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3226. [PMID: 35217700 PMCID: PMC8881490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07130-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current study, droplets dynamics under an asymmetric electric field in a T-junction are numerically studied using COMSOL Multi-physics software. The effect of different factors such as dimensionless length of mother droplet (L*), Capillary number (Ca), and electric capillary number (Cae) are investigated on the breakup process in symmetric T-junctions. Two novel patterns of droplets, namely, hybrid asymmetric splitting mode and sorting patterns, have been observed by imposing an electric field in one branch of the microchannel. It is also concluded that using an electric field is a promising strategy to reach droplets with arbitrary sizes and control over the splitting ratio of daughter droplets precisely in a T- junction by adjusting the electric field strength. After a certain electric capillary number (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{wasysym}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}
\begin{document}$$\left. {Ca_{e} } \right|_{Sorting}$$\end{document}CaeSorting), the mother droplet does not breakup and is sorted on the side of the branch that the electric field imposes. Furthermore, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{wasysym}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}
\begin{document}$$\left. {Ca_{e} } \right|_{Sorting}$$\end{document}CaeSorting increases with the increment of L* and Ca.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keivan Fallah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Fattahi
- Brewing and beverage technology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mathekga BSP, Nxumalo Z, Thimiri Govinda Raj DB. Micro and nanofluidics for high throughput drug screening. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 187:93-120. [PMID: 35094783 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In this book chapter, we elaborate on the state-of-the-art technology developments in high throughput screening, microfluidics and nanofluidics. This book chapter further elaborated on the application of microfluidics and nanofluidics for high throughput drug screening with respect to communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cancer. As a future perspective, there is tremendous potential for microfluidics and nanofluidics to be applied in high throughput drug screening which could be applied for various biotechnology applications such as in cancer precision medicine, point-of-care diagnostics and imaging. With the integration of Fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies with micro and nanofluidics technologies, it envisioned that such integration along with digital health would enable next generation technology development in medical field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zandile Nxumalo
- Synthetic Nanobiotechnology and Biomachines Group, Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine Centre, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Deepak B Thimiri Govinda Raj
- Synthetic Nanobiotechnology and Biomachines Group, Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine Centre, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tang W, Zhu S, Jiang D, Zhu L, Yang J, Xiang N. Channel innovations for inertial microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:3485-3502. [PMID: 32910129 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00714e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Inertial microfluidics has gained significant attention since first being proposed in 2007 owing to the advantages of simplicity, high throughput, precise manipulation, and freedom from an external field. Superior performance in particle focusing, filtering, concentrating, and separating has been demonstrated. As a passive technology, inertial microfluidics technology relies on the unconventional use of fluid inertia in an intermediate Reynolds number range to induce inertial migration and secondary flow, which depend directly on the channel structure, leading to particle migration to the lateral equilibrium position or trapping in a specific cavity. With the advances in micromachining technology, many channel structures have been designed and fabricated in the past decade to explore the fundamentals and applications of inertial microfluidics. However, the channel innovations for inertial microfluidics have not been discussed comprehensively. In this review, the inertial particle manipulations and underlying physics in conventional channels, including straight, spiral, sinusoidal, and expansion-contraction channels, are briefly described. Then, recent innovations in channel structure for inertial microfluidics, especially channel pattern modification and unconventional cross-sectional shape, are reviewed. Finally, the prospects for future channel innovations in inertial microfluidic chips are also discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide guidance for the continued study of innovative channel designs to improve further the accuracy and throughput of inertial microfluidics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenlai Tang
- School of Electrical and Automation Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Equipment and Manufacturing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mottaghi S, Nazari M, Fattahi SM, Nazari M, Babamohammadi S. Droplet size prediction in a microfluidic flow focusing device using an adaptive network based fuzzy inference system. Biomed Microdevices 2020; 22:61. [PMID: 32876861 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-020-00513-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidics has wide applications in different technologies such as biomedical engineering, chemistry engineering, and medicine. Generating droplets with desired size for special applications needs costly and time-consuming iterations due to the nonlinear behavior of multiphase flow in a microfluidic device and the effect of several parameters on it. Hence, designing a flexible way to predict the droplet size is necessary. In this paper, we use the Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), by mixing the artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy inference system (FIS), to study the parameters which have effects on droplet size. The four main dimensionless parameters, i.e. the Capillary number, the Reynolds number, the flow ratio and the viscosity ratio are regarded as the inputs and the droplet diameter as the output of the ANFIS. Using dimensionless groups cause to extract more comprehensive results and avoiding more experimental tests. With the ANFIS, droplet sizes could be predicted with the coefficient of determination of 0.92.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Mottaghi
- Faculty of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Mostafa Nazari
- Faculty of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.
| | - S Mahsa Fattahi
- Faculty of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nazari
- Faculty of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
- Visualization and Tracking Laboratory, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Saeed Babamohammadi
- Faculty of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yaghoobi M, Saidi MS, Ghadami S, Kashaninejad N. An Interface-Particle Interaction Approach for Evaluation of the Co-Encapsulation Efficiency of Cells in a Flow-Focusing Droplet Generator. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20133774. [PMID: 32635674 PMCID: PMC7374427 DOI: 10.3390/s20133774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offers significant advantages, such as high throughput and scalability, making platforms based on this technology ideal candidates for point-of-care (POC) testing and clinical diagnosis. However, the efficiency of co-encapsulation in droplets is suboptimal, limiting the applicability of such platforms for the biosensing applications. The homogeneity of the bioanalytes in the droplets is an unsolved problem. While there is extensive literature on the experimental setups and active methods used to increase the efficiency of such platforms, passive techniques have received less attention, and their fundamentals have not been fully explored. Here, we develop a novel passive technique for investigating cell encapsulation using the finite element method (FEM). The level set method was used to track the interfaces of forming droplets. The effects of walls and the droplet interfaces on relatively large cells were calculated to track them more accurately during encapsulation. The static surface tension force was used to account for the effects of the interfaces on cells. The results revealed that the pairing efficiency is highly sensitive to the standard deviation (SD) of the distance between the cells in the entrance channel. The pairing efficiency prediction error of our model differed by less than 5% from previous experiments. The proposed model can be used to evaluate the performance of droplet-based microfluidic devices to ensure higher precision for co-encapsulation of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Yaghoobi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi St., Tehran 11155, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Said Saidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi St., Tehran 11155, Iran;
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (N.K.)
| | - Sepehr Ghadami
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Navid Kashaninejad
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane QLD 4111, Australia
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (N.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xu S, Nisisako T. Polymer Capsules with Tunable Shell Thickness Synthesized via Janus-to-core shell Transition of Biphasic Droplets Produced in a Microfluidic Flow-Focusing Device. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4549. [PMID: 32165712 PMCID: PMC7067790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61641-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics has enabled the synthesis of polymeric particles with controlled sizes, shell thickness, and morphologies. Here, we report the Janus to core-shell structural evolution of biphasic droplets formed in a microfluidic flow-focusing device (MFFD) for the synthesis of polymer microcapsules with oil core/thickness-tunable shell via off-chip photo- and thermally induced polymerization. First, nanoliter-sized biphasic Janus droplets comprising an acrylate monomer and silicone oil were generated in a co-flowing aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution in an MFFD on a glass chip. Immediately following their break-off, the produced Janus droplets started to change their geometry from Janus to core-shell structure comprising a single silicone-oil core and an acrylate-monomer shell by the minimization of interfacial energy. Thus, we could produce monodisperse core-shell drops with average diameters of 105-325 μm, coefficient of variation (CV) values of 1.0-4.5%, and shell thickness of 1-67 μm. Subsequently, these drops were synthesized to fabricate polymeric microcapsules with tunable shell thickness via photo- and thermally induced polymerization. By increasing the concentration of the photo- and thermal initiator, we successfully produced thinner and ultra-thin shell (800 nm thickness) microcapsules. The surface structure of resulting particles was smooth in photopolymerization and porous in thermal polymerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takasi Nisisako
- Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Technology (FIRST), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R2-9, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|