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Zhuge W, Li W, Wang K, Chen Z, Wu C, Jiang K, Ding J, Anthony C, Cheng X. A Lego-Like Reconfigurable Microfluidic Stabilizer System with Tunable Fluidic RC Constants and Stabilization Ratios. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:843. [PMID: 39064354 PMCID: PMC11278724 DOI: 10.3390/mi15070843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
In microfluidic systems, it is important to maintain flow stability to execute various functions, such as chemical reactions, cell transportation, and liquid injection. However, traditional flow sources, often bulky and prone to unpredictable fluctuations, limit the portability and broader application of these systems. Existing fluidic stabilizers, typically designed for specific flow sources, lack reconfigurability and adaptability in terms of the stabilization ratios. To address these limitations, a modular and standardized stabilizer system with tunable stabilization ratios is required. In this work, we present a Lego-like modular microfluidic stabilizer system, which is fabricated using 3D printing and offers multi-level stabilization combinations and customizable stabilization ratios through the control of fluidic RC constants, making it adaptable to various microfluidic systems. A simplified three-element circuit model is used to characterize the system by straightforwardly extracting the RC constant without intricate calculations of the fluidic resistance and capacitance. By utilizing a simplified three-element model, the stabilizer yields two well-fitted operational curves, demonstrating an R-square of 0.95, and provides an optimal stabilization ratio below 1%. To evaluate the system's effectiveness, unstable input flow at different working frequencies is stabilized, and droplet generation experiments are conducted and discussed. The results show that the microfluidic stabilizer system significantly reduces flow fluctuations and enhances droplet uniformity. This system provides a new avenue for microfluidic stabilization with a tunable stabilization ratio, and its plug-and-play design can be effectively applied across diverse applications to finely tune fluid flow behaviors in microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyang Zhuge
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.J.); (C.A.)
| | - Weihao Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore;
| | - Kaimin Wang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Zhuodan Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Chunhui Wu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Kyle Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.J.); (C.A.)
- Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, 705 Yatai Road, Jiaxing 314006, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore;
| | - Carl Anthony
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.J.); (C.A.)
| | - Xing Cheng
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Blvd., Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (W.L.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (C.W.)
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Bezinge L, Shih CJ, Richards DA, deMello AJ. Electrochemical Paper-Based Microfluidics: Harnessing Capillary Flow for Advanced Diagnostics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401148. [PMID: 38801400 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical paper-based microfluidics has attracted much attention due to the promise of transforming point-of-care diagnostics by facilitating quantitative analysis with low-cost and portable analyzers. Such devices harness capillary flow to transport samples and reagents, enabling bioassays to be executed passively. Despite exciting demonstrations of capillary-driven electrochemical tests, conventional methods for fabricating electrodes on paper impede capillary flow, limit fluidic pathways, and constrain accessible device architectures. This account reviews recent developments in paper-based electroanalytical devices and offers perspective by revisiting key milestones in lateral flow tests and paper-based microfluidics engineering. The study highlights the benefits associated with electrochemical sensing and discusses how the detection modality can be leveraged to unlock novel functionalities. Particular focus is given to electrofluidic platforms that embed electrodes into paper for enhanced biosensing applications. Together, these innovations pave the way for diagnostic technologies that offer portability, quantitative analysis, and seamless integration with digital healthcare, all without compromising the simplicity of commercially available rapid diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léonard Bezinge
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Chih-Jen Shih
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Daniel A Richards
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andrew J deMello
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
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Wang D, Jin K, Ji J, Hu C, Du M, Belgaid Y, Shi S, Li J, Hu S, Nathan A, Yu J, Ma H. Active-matrix digital microfluidics design for field programmable high-throughput digitalized liquid handling. iScience 2024; 27:109324. [PMID: 38706854 PMCID: PMC11067379 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Digital liquid sample handling is an enabling tool for cutting-edge life-sciences research. We present here an active-matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) based digital microfluidics system, referred to as Field Programmable Droplet Array (FPDA). The system contains 256 × 256 pixels in an active area of 10.65 cm2, which can manipulate thousands of addressable liquid droplets simultaneously. By leveraging a novel TFT device and circuits design solution, we manage to programmatically manipulate droplets at single-pixel level. The minimum achievable droplet volume is around 0.5 nL, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than the smallest droplet ever reported on active-matrix digital microfluidics. The movement of droplets can be either pre-programmed or controlled in real-time. The FPDA system shows great potential of the ubiquitous thin-film electronics technology in digital liquid handling. These efforts will make it possible to create a true programmable lab-on-a-chip device to enable great advances in life science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Kai Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Jiajian Ji
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P.R. China
| | - Chenxuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Maohua Du
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
| | | | - Subao Shi
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
| | - Jiahao Li
- ACX Instruments Ltd, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Siyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Arokia Nathan
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P.R. China
| | - Jun Yu
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P.R. China
| | - Hanbin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
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4
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Shafique H, Karamzadeh V, Kim G, Shen ML, Morocz Y, Sohrabi-Kashani A, Juncker D. High-resolution low-cost LCD 3D printing for microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2774-2790. [PMID: 38682609 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01125a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The fabrication of microfluidic devices has progressed from cleanroom manufacturing to replica molding in polymers, and more recently to direct manufacturing by subtractive (e.g., laser machining) and additive (e.g., 3D printing) techniques, notably digital light processing (DLP) photopolymerization. However, many methods require technical expertise and DLP 3D printers remain expensive at a cost ∼15-30 K USD with ∼8 M pixels that are 25-40 μm in size. Here, we introduce (i) the use of low-cost (∼150-600 USD) liquid crystal display (LCD) photopolymerization 3D printing with ∼8-58 M pixels that are 18-35 μm in size for direct microfluidic device fabrication, and (ii) a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate-based ink developed for LCD 3D printing (PLInk). We optimized PLInk for high resolution, fast 3D printing and biocompatibility while considering the illumination inhomogeneity and low power density of LCD 3D printers. We made lateral features as small as 75 μm, 22 μm-thick embedded membranes, and circular channels with a 110 μm radius. We 3D printed microfluidic devices previously manufactured by other methods, including an embedded 3D micromixer, a membrane microvalve, and an autonomous capillaric circuit (CC) deployed for interferon-γ detection with excellent performance (limit of detection: 12 pg mL-1, CV: 6.8%). We made PLInk-based organ-on-a-chip devices in 384-well plate format and produced 3420 individual devices within an 8 h print run. We used the devices to co-culture two spheroids separated by a vascular barrier over 5 days and observed endothelial sprouting, cellular reorganization, and migration. LCD 3D printing together with tailored inks pave the way for democratizing access to high-resolution manufacturing of ready-to-use microfluidic and organ-on-a-chip devices by anyone, anywhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Shafique
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vahid Karamzadeh
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Geunyong Kim
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Molly L Shen
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yonatan Morocz
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ahmad Sohrabi-Kashani
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Juncker
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Du Y, Reitemeier J, Jiang Q, Bappy MO, Bohn PW, Zhang Y. Hybrid Printing of Fully Integrated Microfluidic Devices for Biosensing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304966. [PMID: 37752777 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The advent of 3D printing has facilitated the rapid fabrication of microfluidic devices that are accessible and cost-effective. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate sophisticated microfluidic devices with integrated structural and functional components due to limited material options of existing printing methods and their stringent requirement on feedstock material properties. Here, a multi-materials multi-scale hybrid printing method that enables seamless integration of a broad range of structural and functional materials into complex devices is reported. A fully printed and assembly-free microfluidic biosensor with embedded fluidic channels and functionalized electrodes at sub-100 µm spatial resolution for the amperometric sensing of lactate in sweat is demonstrated. The sensors present a sensitive response with a limit of detection of 442 nm and a linear dynamic range of 1-10 mm, which are performance characteristics relevant to physiological levels of lactate in sweat. The versatile hybrid printing method offers a new pathway toward facile fabrication of next-generation integrated devices for broad applications in point-of-care health monitoring and sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipu Du
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Julius Reitemeier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Qiang Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Md Omarsany Bappy
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Paul W Bohn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Yanliang Zhang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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6
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Yang C, Gan X, Zeng Y, Xu Z, Xu L, Hu C, Ma H, Chai B, Hu S, Chai Y. Advanced design and applications of digital microfluidics in biomedical fields: An update of recent progress. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 242:115723. [PMID: 37832347 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Significant breakthroughs have been made in digital microfluidic (DMF)-based technologies over the past decades. DMF technology has attracted great interest in bioassays depending on automatic microscale liquid manipulations and complicated multi-step processing. In this review, the recent advances of DMF platforms in the biomedical field were summarized, focusing on the integrated design and applications of the DMF system. Firstly, the electrowetting-on-dielectric principle, fabrication of DMF chips, and commercialization of the DMF system were elaborated. Then, the updated droplets and magnetic beads manipulation strategies with DMF were explored. DMF-based biomedical applications were comprehensively discussed, including automated sample preparation strategies, immunoassays, molecular diagnosis, blood processing/testing, and microbe analysis. Emerging applications such as enzyme activity assessment and DNA storage were also explored. The performance of each bioassay was compared and discussed, providing insight into the novel design and applications of the DMF technology. Finally, the advantages, challenges, and future trends of DMF systems were systematically summarized, demonstrating new perspectives on the extensive applications of DMF in basic research and commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbin Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiangyu Gan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yuping Zeng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zhourui Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Longqian Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Chenxuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Hanbin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China; Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan, China.
| | - Bao Chai
- Department of Dermatology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Department of Dermatology, The 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Siyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yujuan Chai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Karamzadeh V, Sohrabi-Kashani A, Shen M, Juncker D. Digital Manufacturing of Functional Ready-to-Use Microfluidic Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2303867. [PMID: 37531202 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Digital manufacturing (DM) holds great potential for microfluidics, but requirements for embedded conduits and high resolution beyond the capability of common manufacturing equipment, and microfluidic systems' dependence on peripheralshave limited its adoption. Capillaric circuits (CCs) are structurally encoded, self-contained microfluidic systems that operate and self-fill via precisely tailored hydrophilicity. CCs are heretofore hydrophilized in a plasma chamber, but which offers only transient hydrophilicity, lacks reproducibility, and limits CC design to open surface channels subsequently sealed with tape. Here, the additive DM of monolithic, fully functional, and intrinsically hydrophilic CCs is reported. CCs are 3D printed with commonly available light-engine-based 3D printers using poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate-based ink co-polymerized with hydrophilic acrylic acid crosslinkers and optimized for hydrophilicity and printability. A new, robust capillary valve design and embedded conduits with circular cross-sections that prevent bubble trapping are presented, interwoven circuit architectures created, and CC use illustrated with an immunoassay. Finally, the external paper capillary pumps are eliminated by directly embedding the capillary pump in the chip as a porous gyroid structure, realizing fully functional, monolithic CCs. Thence, a digital file can be made into a CC by commonly available 3D printers in less than 30 min enabling low-cost, distributed DM of fully functional ready-to-use microfluidic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Karamzadeh
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G1, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Ahmad Sohrabi-Kashani
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G1, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Molly Shen
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G1, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - David Juncker
- Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G1, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
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Suarez GD, Bayer S, Tang YYK, Suarez DA, Cheung PPH, Nagl S. Rapid microfluidics prototyping through variotherm desktop injection molding for multiplex diagnostics. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3850-3861. [PMID: 37534874 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00391d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate an inexpensive method of prototyping microfluidics using a desktop injection molding machine. A centrifugal microfluidic device with a novel central filling mechanism was developed to demonstrate the technique. We overcame the limitations of desktop machines in replicating microfluidic features by variotherm heating and cooling the mold between 50 °C and 110 °C within two minutes. Variotherm heating enabled good replication of microfeatures, with a coefficient of variation averaging only 3.6% attained for the measured widths of 100 μm wide molded channels. Using this methodology, we produced functional polystyrene centrifugal microfluidic chips, capable of aliquoting fluids into 5.0 μL reaction chambers with 97.5% accuracy. We performed allele-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (AS-LAMP) reactions for genotyping CYP2C19 alleles on these chips. Readouts were generated using optical pH sensors integrated onto chips, by drop-casting sensor precursor solutions into reaction chambers before final chip assembly. Positive reactions could be discerned by decreases in pH sensor fluorescence, thresholded against negative control reactions lacking the primers for nucleic acid amplification and with time-to-results averaging 38 minutes. Variotherm desktop injection molding can enable researchers to prototype microfluidic devices more cost-effectively, in an iterative fashion, due to reduced costs of smaller, in-house molds. Designs prototyped this way can be directly translated to mass production, enhancing their commercialization potential and positive impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco D Suarez
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Steevanson Bayer
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Yuki Yu Kiu Tang
- Quommni Technologies Limited, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | | | - Peter Pak-Hang Cheung
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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9
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Huang C, Sanaei F, Verdurmen WPR, Yang F, Ji W, Walboomers XF. The Application of Organs-on-a-Chip in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. J Dent Res 2023; 102:364-375. [PMID: 36726271 PMCID: PMC10031637 DOI: 10.1177/00220345221145555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The current development of microfluidics-based microphysiological systems (MPSs) will rapidly lead to a paradigm shift from traditional static 2-dimensional cell cultivation towards organized tissue culture within a dynamic cellular milieu. Especially organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) can very precisely re-create the mechanical and unique anatomical structures of the oral environment. This review provides an introduction to such technology, from commonly used chip materials and fabrication methods to the application of OoC in in vitro culture. OoCs are advantageous because of their small-scaled culture environment, the highly controlled dynamic experimental conditions, and the likeness to the in vivo structure. We specifically focus on current chip designs in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research. Also, future perspectives are discussed, like model standardization and the development of integrated platforms with advanced read-out functionality. By doing so, it will be possible for OoCs to serve as an alternative for animal testing and to develop highly predictive human models for clinical experiments and even personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Huang
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - F Sanaei
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W P R Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - F Yang
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Ji
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Implantology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - X F Walboomers
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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10
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Kim YT, Ahmadianyazdi A, Folch A. A 'print-pause-print' protocol for 3D printing microfluidics using multimaterial stereolithography. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:1243-1259. [PMID: 36609643 PMCID: PMC10101882 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Methods to make microfluidic chips using 3D printers have attracted much attention because these simple procedures allow rapid fabrication of ready-to-use products from digital 3D designs with minimal human intervention. Printing high-resolution chips that are simultaneously transparent, biocompatible and contain regions of dissimilar materials is an ongoing challenge. Transparency allows for the optical inspection of specimens containing cells and labeled biomolecules inside the chip. Being able to use different materials for different layers in the product increases the number of potential applications. In this 'print-pause-print' protocol, we describe detailed strategies for fabricating transparent biomicrofluidic devices and multimaterial chips using stereolithographic 3D printing. To print transparent biomicrofluidic chips, we developed a transparent resin based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) (average molecular weight: 250 g/mol, PEG-DA-250) and a smooth chip surface technique achieved using glass. Cells can be successfully cultured and visualized on PEG-DA-250 prints and inside PEG-DA-250 microchannels. The multimaterial potential of the technique is exemplified using a molecular diffusion device that comprises parts made of two different materials: the channel walls, which are water impermeable, and a porous barrier structure, which is permeable to small molecules that diffuse through it. The two materials were prepared from two different molecular-weight PEG-DA-based printing resins. Alignment of the two dissimilar material structures is performed automatically by the printer during the printing process, which only requires a simple pause step to exchange the resins. The procedure takes less than 1 h and can facilitate chip-based applications including biomolecule analysis, cell biology, organ-on-a-chip and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Tae Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Tech University of Korea, Siheung-si, Republic of Korea.
| | | | - Albert Folch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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11
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Mahapatra B, Bandopadhyay A. Experimental Investigations on Geometry Modulated Solute Mixing in Viscoelastic Media. Ind Eng Chem Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bimalendu Mahapatra
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Aditya Bandopadhyay
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
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12
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Markoski A, Wong IY, Borenstein JT. Dynamic Tumor Perfusion and Real-Time Monitoring in a Multiplexed 3D Printed Microdevice. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2679:287-304. [PMID: 37300624 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3271-0_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Stereolithography based additive manufacturing ("3D printing") has become a useful tool for the development of novel microfluidic in vitro platforms. This method of manufacturing can reduce production time while allowing for rapid design iteration and complex monolithic structures. The platform described in this chapter has been designed for the capture and evaluation of cancer spheroids in perfusion. Spheroids are created in 3D Petri dishes, stained, and loaded into these 3D printed devices and imaged over time under flow conditions. This design allows for active perfusion into complex 3D cellular constructs resulting in longer viability while providing results which better mimic in vivo conditions compared to traditional monolayer static culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Markoski
- Draper, Bioengineering Division, Cambridge, MA, USA
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Legoretta Cancer Center. Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ian Y Wong
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Legoretta Cancer Center. Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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13
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Warr CA, Crawford NG, Nordin GP, Pitt WG. Surface Modification of 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices for Controlled Wetting in Two-Phase Flow. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:6. [PMID: 36677067 PMCID: PMC9866927 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices (MFDs) printed in 3-D geometry using digital light projection to polymerize monomers often have surfaces that are not as hydrophobic as MFDs made from polydimethylsiloxane. Droplet microfluidics in these types of devices are subject to droplet adhesion and aqueous spreading on less hydrophobic MFD surfaces. We have developed a post-processing technique using hydrophobic monomers that renders the surfaces of these devices much more hydrophobic. The technique is fast and easy, and involves flowing monomer without initiator into the channels and then exposing the entire device to UV light that generates radicals from the initiator molecules remaining in the original 3-D polymerization. After treatment the channels can be cleared and the surface is more hydrophobic, as evidenced by higher contact angles with aqueous droplets. We hypothesize that radicals generated near the previously printed surfaces initiate polymerization of the hydrophobic monomers on the surfaces without bulk polymerization extending into the channels. The most hydrophobic surfaces were produced by treatment with an alkyl acrylate and a fluorinated acrylate. This technique could be used for surface treatment with other types of monomers to impart unique characteristics to channels in MFDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandler A. Warr
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Nicole G. Crawford
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Gregory P. Nordin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - William G. Pitt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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14
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Nimbkar S, Leena MM, Moses JA, Anandharamakrishnan C. Microfluidic assessment of nutritional biomarkers: Concepts, approaches and advances. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:5113-5127. [PMID: 36503314 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2150597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Among various approaches to understand the health status of an individual, nutritional biomarkers can provide valuable information, particularly in terms of deficiencies, if any, and their severity. Commonly, the approach revolves around molecular sciences, and the information gained can support prognosis, diagnosis, remediation, and impact assessment of therapies. Microfluidic platforms can offer benefits of low sample and reagent requirements, low cost, high precision, and lower detection limits, with simplicity in handling and the provision for complete automation and integration with information and communication technologies (ICTs). While several advances are being made, this work details the underlying concepts, with emphasis on different point-of-care devices for the analysis of macro and micronutrient biomarkers. In addition, the scope of using different wearable microfluidic sensors for real-time and noninvasive determination of biomarkers is detailed. While several challenges remain, a strong focus is given on recent advances, presenting the state-of-the-art of this field. With more such biomarkers being discovered and commercialization-driven research, trends indicate the wide prospects of this advancing field in supporting clinicians, food technologists, nutritionists, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Nimbkar
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Maria Leena
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jeyan Arthur Moses
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chinnaswamy Anandharamakrishnan
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
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15
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Hernández-Rodríguez JF, López MÁ, Rojas D, Escarpa A. Digital manufacturing for accelerating organ-on-a-chip dissemination and electrochemical biosensing integration. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4805-4821. [PMID: 36342332 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00499b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Organ on-a-chip (OoC) is a promising technology that aims to recapitulate human body pathophysiology in a more precise way to advance in drug development and complex disease understanding. However, the presence of OoC in biological laboratories is still limited and mainly restricted to laboratories with access to cleanroom facilities. Besides, the current analytical methods employed to extract information from the organ models are endpoint and post facto assays which makes it difficult to ensure that during the biological experiment the cell microenvironment, cellular functionality and behaviour are controlled. Hence, the integration of real-time biosensors is highly needed and requested by the OoC end-user community to provide insight into organ function and responses to stimuli. In this context, electrochemical sensors stand out due to their advantageous features like miniaturization capabilities, ease of use, automatization and high sensitivity and selectivity. Electrochemical sensors have been already successfully miniaturized and employed in other fields such as wearables and point-of-care devices. We have identified that the explanation for this issue may be, to a large extent, the accessibility to microfabrication technologies. These fields employ preferably digital manufacturing (DM), which is a more accessible microfabrication approach regardless of funding and facilities. Therefore, we envision that a paradigm shift in microfabrication that adopts DM instead of the dominating soft lithography for the in-lab microfabrication of OoC devices will contribute to the dissemination of the field and integration of the promising real-time sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Hernández-Rodríguez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel López
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
- Chemical Engineering and Chemical Research Institute "Andres M. Del Río", University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Rojas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto Escarpa
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
- Chemical Engineering and Chemical Research Institute "Andres M. Del Río", University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Assessment of sperm motility in livestock: Perspectives based on sperm swimming conditions in vivo. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106849. [PMID: 34556397 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of sperm motility is well-established in farm animals for quickly selecting ejaculates for semen processing into insemination doses and for evaluating the quality of preserved semen. Likewise, sperm motility is a fundamental parameter used by spermatologists in basic and applied science. Motility is commonly assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Recent increases in computational power, as well as utilization of mobile CASA systems and open-source CASA programs, broaden the possibilities for motility evaluation. Despite this technological progress, the potential of computer-generated motility data to assess male fertility remains challenging and may be limited. Relevance for fertility assessment could be improved if measurement conditions would more closely mimic the in vivo situation. Hence, this review is focused on the current trends of automated semen assessment in livestock and explores perspectives for future use with respect to the physiological and physical conditions encountered by sperm in the female reproductive tract. Validation of current CASA systems with more complex, microfluidic-based devices mimicking the female reproductive tract environment could improve the value of sperm kinematic data for assessing the fertilizing capacity of semen samples, not only for application in livestock but also for use in conducting assisted reproduction techniques in other species.
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17
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Machine learning-enabled optimization of extrusion-based 3D printing. Methods 2022; 206:27-40. [PMID: 35963502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) and three-dimensional (3D) printing are among the fastest-growing branches of science. While ML can enable computers to independently learn from available data to make decisions with minimal human intervention, 3D printing has opened up an avenue for modern, multi-material, manufacture of complex 3D structures with a rapid turn-around ability for users with limited manufacturing experience. However, the determination of optimum printing parameters is still a challenge, increasing pre-printing process time and material wastage. Here, we present the first integration of ML and 3D printing through an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) for printing parameter optimization. Unlike the widely held orthogonal design used in most of the 3D printing research, we, for the first time, used nine different computer-aided design (CAD) images and in order to enable ML algorithms to distinguish the difference between designs, we devised a self-designed method to calculate the "complexity index" of CAD designs. In addition, for the first time, the similarity of the print outcomes and CAD images are measured using four different self-designed labeling methods (both manually and automatically) to figure out the best labeling method for ML purposes. Subsequently, we trained eight ML algorithms on 224 datapoints to identify the best ML model for 3D printing applications. The "gradient boosting regression" model yields the best prediction performance with an R-2 score of 0.954. The ML-embedded GUI developed in this study enables users (either skilled or unskilled in 3D printing and/or ML) to simply upload a design (desired to print) to the GUI along with desired printing temperature and pressure to obtain the approximate similarity in the case of actual 3D printing of the uploaded design. This ultimately can prevent error-and-trial steps prior to printing which in return can speed up overall design-to-end-product time with less material waste and more cost-efficiency.
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18
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Wang B, Park B. Microfluidic Sampling and Biosensing Systems for Foodborne Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2022; 19:359-375. [PMID: 35713922 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2021.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Developments of portable biosensors for field-deployable detections have been increasingly important to control foodborne pathogens in regulatory environment and in early stage of outbreaks. Conventional cultivation and gene amplification methods require sophisticated instruments and highly skilled professionals; while portable biosensing devices provide more freedom for rapid detections not only in research laboratories but also in the field; however, their sensitivity and specificity are limited. Microfluidic methods have the advantage of miniaturizing instrumental size while integrating multiple functions and high-throughput capability into one streamlined system at low cost. Minimal sample consumption is another advantage to detect samples in different sizes and concentrations, which is important for the close monitoring of pathogens at consumer end. They improve measurement or manipulation of bacteria by increasing the ratio of functional interface of the device to the targeted biospecies and in turn reducing background interference. This article introduces the major active and passive microfluidic devices that have been used for bacteria sampling and biosensing. The emphasis is on particle-based sorting/enrichment methods with or without external physical fields applied to the microfluidic devices and on various biosensing applications reported for bacteria sampling. Three major fabrication methods for microfluidics are briefly discussed with their advantages and limitations. The applications of these active and passive microfluidic sampling methods in the past 5 years have been summarized, with the focus on Escherichia coli and Salmonella. The current challenges to microfluidic bacteria sampling are caused by the small size and nonspherical shape of various bacterial cells, which can induce unpredictable deviations in sampling and biosensing processes. Future studies are needed to develop rapid prototyping methods for device manufacturing, which can facilitate rapid response to various foodborne pathogen outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- U.S. National Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Bosoon Park
- U.S. National Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, Georgia, USA
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19
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Abstract
Drug testing, either on animals or on 2D cell cultures, has its limitations due to inaccurate mimicking of human pathophysiology. The liver, as one of the key organs that filters and detoxifies the blood, is susceptible to drug-induced injuries. Integrating 3D bioprinting with microfluidic chips to fabricate organ-on-chip platforms for 3D liver cell cultures with continuous perfusion can offer a more physiologically relevant liver-mimetic platform for screening drugs and studying liver function. The development of organ-on-chip platforms may ultimately contribute to personalized medicine as well as body-on-chip technology that can test drug responses and organ–organ interactions on a single or linked chip model.
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20
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Arrabito G, Gulli D, Alfano C, Pignataro B. "Writing biochips": high-resolution droplet-to-droplet manufacturing of analytical platforms. Analyst 2022; 147:1294-1312. [PMID: 35275148 DOI: 10.1039/d1an02295d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The development of high-resolution molecular printing allows the engineering of analytical platforms enabling applications at the interface between chemistry and biology, i.e. in biosensing, electronics, single-cell biology, and point-of-care diagnostics. Their successful implementation stems from the combination of large area printing at resolutions from sub-100 nm up to macroscale, whilst controlling the composition and volume of the ink, and reconfiguring the deposition features in due course. Similar to handwriting pens, the engineering of continuous writing systems tackles the issue of the tedious ink replenishment between different printing steps. To this aim, this review article provides an unprecedented analysis of the latest continuous printing methods for bioanalytical chemistry, focusing on ink deposition systems based on specific sets of technologies that have been developed to this aim, namely nanofountain probes, microcantilever spotting, capillary-based polymer pens and continuous 3D printing. Each approach will be discussed revealing the most important applications in the fields of biosensors, lab-on-chips and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Daniele Gulli
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Caterina Alfano
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
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21
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Fritschen A, Bell AK, Königstein I, Stühn L, Stark RW, Blaeser A. Investigation and comparison of resin materials in transparent DLP-printing for application in cell culture and organs-on-a-chip. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1981-1994. [PMID: 35262097 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01794b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Organs-on-a-Chip (OOCs) have recently led to major discoveries and a better understanding of 3D cell organization, cell-cell interactions and tissue response to drugs and biological cues. However, their complexity and variability are still limited by the available fabrication technology. Transparent, cytocompatible and high-resolution 3D-printing could overcome these limitations, offering a flexible and low-cost alternative to soft lithography. Many advances have been made in stereolithography printing regarding resin formulation and the general printing process, but a systematic analysis of the printing process steps, employed resins and post-treatment procedures with a strong focus on the requirements in OOCs is missing. To fill this gap, this work provides an in-depth analysis of three different resin systems in comparison to polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), which can be considered the gold-standards in cell culture and microfluidics. The resins were characterized with respect to transparency, cytocompatibility and print resolution. These properties are not only governed by the resin composition, but additionally by the post-treatment procedure. The investigation of the mechanical (elastic modulus ∼2.2 GPa) and wetting properties (∼60° native / 20° plasma treated) showed a behavior very similar to PS. In addition, the absorbance of small molecules was two orders of magnitude lower in the applied resins (diffusion constant ∼0.01 μm2 s-1) than for PDMS (2.5 μm2 s-1), demonstrating the intrinsic suitability of these materials for OOCs. Raman spectroscopy and UV/VIS spectrophotometry revealed that post-treatment increased monomer conversion up to 2 times and removed photo initiator residues, leading to an increased transparency of up to 50% and up to 10-times higher cell viability. High magnification fluorescence imaging of HUVECs and L929 cells cultivated on printed dishes shows the high optical qualities of prints fabricated by the Digital Light Processing (DLP) printer. Finally, components of microfluidic chips such as high-aspect ratio pillars and holes with a diameter of 50 μm were printed. Concluding, the suitability of DLP-printing for OOCs was demonstrated by filling a printed chip with a cell-hydrogel mixture using a microvalve bioprinter, followed by the successful cultivation under perfusion. Our results highlight that DLP-printing has matured into a robust fabrication technology ready for application in extensive and versatile OOC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fritschen
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BioMedical Printing Technology, Magdalenenstr. 2, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Alena K Bell
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Institute of Materials Science, Physics of Surfaces, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 16, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Inga Königstein
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BioMedical Printing Technology, Magdalenenstr. 2, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Lukas Stühn
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Institute of Materials Science, Physics of Surfaces, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 16, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Robert W Stark
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Institute of Materials Science, Physics of Surfaces, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 16, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Blaeser
- Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BioMedical Printing Technology, Magdalenenstr. 2, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany. .,Technical University of Darmstadt, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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22
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Ogishi K, Osaki T, Morimoto Y, Takeuchi S. 3D printed microfluidic devices for lipid bilayer recordings. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:890-898. [PMID: 35133381 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01077h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper verifies the single-step and monolithic fabrication of 3D structural lipid bilayer devices using stereolithography. Lipid bilayer devices are utilized to host membrane proteins in vitro for biological assays or sensing applications. There is a growing demand to fabricate functional lipid bilayer devices with a short lead-time, and the monolithic fabrication of components by 3D printing is highly anticipated. However, the prerequisites of 3D printing materials which lead to reproducible lipid bilayer formation are still unknown. Here, we examined the feasibility of membrane protein measurement using lipid bilayer devices fabricated by stereolithography. The 3D printing materials were characterized and the surface smoothness and hydrophobicity were found to be the relevant factors for successful lipid bilayer formation. The devices were comparable to the ones fabricated by conventional procedures in terms of measurement performances like the amplitude of noise and the waiting time for lipid bilayer formation. We further demonstrated the extendibility of the technology for the functionalization of devices, such as incorporating microfluidic channels for solution exchangeability and arraying multiple chambers for robust measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuto Ogishi
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Toshihisa Osaki
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 213-0012, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Yuya Morimoto
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 213-0012, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
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23
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Habib T, Brämer C, Heuer C, Ebbecke J, Beutel S, Bahnemann J. 3D-Printed microfluidic device for protein purification in batch chromatography. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:986-993. [PMID: 35107475 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01127h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Modern 3D printers enable not only rapid prototyping, but also high-precision printing-microfluidic devices with channel diameters of just a few micrometres can now be readily assembled using this technology. Such devices offer a myriad of benefits (including miniaturization) that significantly reduce sample and buffer volumes and lead to lower process costs. Although such microfluidic devices are already widely used in the field of biotechnology, there is a lack of research regarding the potential of miniaturization by 3D-printed devices in lab-scale chromatography. In this study, the efficacy of a 3D-printed microfluidic device which provides a substantially lower dead-volume compared to established chromatography systems is demonstrated for batch purification applications. Furthermore, this device enables straightforward integration of various components (such as microfluidic valves and chromatographic units) in an unprecedentedly flexible fashion. Initial proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate successful gradient elution with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the purification of a pharmaceutically relevant IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb).
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Affiliation(s)
- Taieb Habib
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Chantal Brämer
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Christopher Heuer
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Jan Ebbecke
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Sascha Beutel
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Janina Bahnemann
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
- Cell Culture Technology, Technical Faculty, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33625 Bielefeld, Germany
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24
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Recent Development of Drug Delivery Systems through Microfluidics: From Synthesis to Evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020434. [PMID: 35214166 PMCID: PMC8880124 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional drug administration usually faces the problems of degradation and rapid excretion when crossing many biological barriers, leading to only a small amount of drugs arriving at pathological sites. Therapeutic drugs delivered by drug delivery systems to the target sites in a controlled manner greatly enhance drug efficacy, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics with minimal side effects. Due to the distinct advantages of microfluidic techniques, microfluidic setups provide a powerful tool for controlled synthesis of drug delivery systems, precisely controlled drug release, and real-time observation of drug delivery to the desired location at the desired rate. In this review, we present an overview of recent advances in the preparation of nano drug delivery systems and carrier-free drug delivery microfluidic systems, as well as the construction of in vitro models on-a-chip for drug efficiency evaluation of drug delivery systems. We firstly introduce the synthesis of nano drug delivery systems, including liposomes, polymers, and inorganic compounds, followed by detailed descriptions of the carrier-free drug delivery system, including micro-reservoir and microneedle drug delivery systems. Finally, we discuss in vitro models developed on microfluidic devices for the evaluation of drug delivery systems, such as the blood–brain barrier model, vascular model, small intestine model, and so on. The opportunities and challenges of the applications of microfluidic platforms in drug delivery systems, as well as their clinical applications, are also discussed.
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25
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Namgung H, Kaba AM, Oh H, Jeon H, Yoon J, Lee H, Kim D. Quantitative Determination of 3D-Printing and Surface-Treatment Conditions for Direct-Printed Microfluidic Devices. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-022-00048-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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26
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Farooq A, Hayat F, Zafar S, Butt NZ. Thin flexible lab-on-a-film for impedimetric sensing in biomedical applications. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1066. [PMID: 35058505 PMCID: PMC8776742 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04917-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMicrofluidic cytometers based on coulter principle have recently shown a great potential for point of care biosensors for medical diagnostics. Here, we explore the design of an impedimetric microfluidic cytometer on flexible substrate. Two coplanar microfluidic geometries are compared to highlight the sensitivity of the device to the microelectrode positions relative to the detection volume. We show that the microelectrodes surface area and the geometry of the sensing volume for the cells strongly influence the output response of the sensor. Reducing the sensing volume decreases the pulse width but increases the overall pulse amplitude with an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (~ max. SNR = 38.78 dB). For the proposed design, the SNR was adequate to enable good detection and differentiation of 10 µm diameter polystyrene beads and leukemia cells (~ 6–21 µm). Also, a systematic approach for irreversible & strong bond strength between the thin flexible surfaces that make up the biochip is explored in this work. We observed the changes in surface wettability due to various methods of surface treatment can be a valuable metric for determining bond strength. We observed permanent bonding between microelectrode defined polypropylene surface and microchannel carved PDMS due to polar/silanol groups formed by plasma treatment and consequent covalent crosslinking by amine groups. These experimental insights provide valuable design guidelines for enhancing the sensitivity of coulter based flexible lab-on-a-chip devices which have a wide range of applications in point of care diagnostics.
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Bertassoni LE. Bioprinting of Complex Multicellular Organs with Advanced Functionality-Recent Progress and Challenges Ahead. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2101321. [PMID: 35060652 PMCID: PMC10171718 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioprinting has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for fabrication of functional organs in the lab as an alternative to transplant organs. While progress in the field has mostly been restricted to a few miniaturized tissues with minimal biological functionality until a few years ago, recent progress has advanced the concept of building three-dimensional multicellular organ complexity remarkably. This review discusses a series of milestones that have paved the way for bioprinting of tissue constructs that have advanced levels of biological and architectural functionality. Critical materials, engineering and biological challenges that are key to addressing the desirable function of engineered organs are presented. These are discussed in light of the many difficulties to replicate the heterotypic organization of multicellular solid organs, the nanoscale precision of the extracellular microenvironment in hierarchical tissues, as well as the advantages and limitations of existing bioprinting methods to adequately overcome these barriers. In summary, the advances of the field toward realistic manufacturing of functional organs have never been so extensive, and this manuscript serves as a road map for some of the recent progress and the challenges ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz E Bertassoni
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR), Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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Fu E, Wentland L. A survey of 3D printing technology applied to paper microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 22:9-25. [PMID: 34897346 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00768h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Paper microfluidics is a rapidly growing subfield of microfluidics in which paper-like porous materials are used to create analytical devices that are well-suited for use in field applications. 3D printing technology has the potential to positively affect paper microfluidic device development by enabling tools and methods for the creation of devices with well-defined and tunable fluidic networks of porous matrices for high performance signal generation. This critical review focuses on the progress that has been made in using 3D printing technologies to advance the development of paper microfluidic devices. We describe printing work in three general categories: (i) solid support structures for paper microfluidic device components; (ii) channel barrier definition in existing porous materials; and (iii) porous channels for capillary flow, and discuss their value in advancing paper microfluidic device development. Finally, we discuss major areas of focus for highest impact on the next generation of paper microfluidics devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elain Fu
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| | - Lael Wentland
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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Mader M, Rein C, Konrat E, Meermeyer SL, Lee-Thedieck C, Kotz-Helmer F, Rapp BE. Fused Deposition Modeling of Microfluidic Chips in Transparent Polystyrene. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1348. [PMID: 34832759 PMCID: PMC8618114 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastic materials worldwide and plays a ubiquitous role in today's biomedical and life science industry and research. The main advantage of PS lies in its facile processability, its excellent optical and mechanical properties, as well as its biocompatibility. However, PS is only rarely used in microfluidic prototyping, since the structuring of PS is mainly performed using industrial-scale replication processes. So far, microfluidic chips in PS have not been accessible to rapid prototyping via 3D printing. In this work, we present, for the first time, 3D printing of transparent PS using fused deposition modeling (FDM). We present FDM printing of transparent PS microfluidic channels with dimensions as small as 300 µm and a high transparency in the region of interest. Furthermore, we demonstrate the fabrication of functional chips such as Tesla-mixer and mixer cascades. Cell culture experiments showed a high cell viability during seven days of culturing, as well as enabling cell adhesion and proliferation. With the aid of this new PS prototyping method, the development of future biomedical microfluidic chips will be significantly accelerated, as it enables using PS from the early academic prototyping all the way to industrial-scale mass replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Mader
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.M.); (C.R.); (E.K.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Christof Rein
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.M.); (C.R.); (E.K.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Eveline Konrat
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.M.); (C.R.); (E.K.); (B.E.R.)
| | - Sophia Lena Meermeyer
- Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Cell Biology, University of Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany; (S.L.M.); (C.L.-T.)
| | - Cornelia Lee-Thedieck
- Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Cell Biology, University of Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany; (S.L.M.); (C.L.-T.)
| | - Frederik Kotz-Helmer
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.M.); (C.R.); (E.K.); (B.E.R.)
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Bastian E. Rapp
- Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.M.); (C.R.); (E.K.); (B.E.R.)
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- FIT Freiburg Center of Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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30
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Wang A, Wu Z, Huang Y, Zhou H, Wu L, Jia C, Chen Q, Zhao J. A 3D-Printed Microfluidic Device for qPCR Detection of Macrolide-Resistant Mutations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:bios11110427. [PMID: 34821643 PMCID: PMC8615801 DOI: 10.3390/bios11110427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) is a common respiratory infection generally treated with macrolides, but resistance mutations against macrolides are often detected in mycoplasma pneumoniae in China. Rapid and accurate identification of mycoplasma pneumoniae and its mutant type is necessary for precise medication. This paper presents a 3D-printed microfluidic device to achieve this. By 3D printing, the stereoscopic structures such as microvalves, reservoirs, drainage tubes, and connectors were fabricated in one step. The device integrated commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tubes as PCR chambers. The detection was a sample-to-answer procedure. First, the sample, a PCR mix, and mineral oil were respectively added to the reservoirs on the device. Next, the device automatically mixed the sample with the PCR mix and evenly dispensed the mixed solution and mineral oil into the PCR chambers, which were preloaded with the specified primers and probes. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was carried out with the homemade instrument. Within 80 min, mycoplasma pneumoniae and its mutation type in the clinical samples were determined, which was verified by DNA sequencing. The easy-to-make and easy-to-use device provides a rapid and integrated detection approach for pathogens and antibiotic resistance mutations, which is urgently needed on the infection scene and in hospital emergency departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyan Wang
- College of Metrology and Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zhenhua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yuhang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Hongbo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Lei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (C.J.); (Q.C.)
| | - Chunping Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (C.J.); (Q.C.)
| | - Qiang Chen
- College of Metrology and Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (C.J.); (Q.C.)
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.W.); (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
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31
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Aladese AD, Jeong HH. Recent Developments in 3D Printing of Droplet-Based Microfluidics. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-021-00032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Rolley N, Bonnin M, Lefebvre G, Verron S, Bargiel S, Robert L, Riou J, Simonsson C, Bizien T, Gimel JC, Benoit JP, Brotons G, Calvignac B. Galenic Lab-on-a-Chip concept for lipid nanocapsules production. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:11899-11912. [PMID: 34190298 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00879j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The continuous production of drug delivery systems assisted by microfluidics has drawn a growing interest because of the high reproducibility, low batch-to-batch variations, narrow and controlled particle size distributions and scale-up ease induced by this kind of processes. Besides, microfluidics offers opportunities for high throughput screening of process parameters and the implementation of process characterization techniques as close to the product as possible. In this context, we propose to spotlight the GALECHIP concept through the development of an instrumented microfluidic pilot considered as a Galenic Lab-on-a-Chip to formulate nanomedicines, such as lipid nanocapsules (LNCs), under controlled process conditions. In this paper we suggest an optimal rational development in terms of chip costs and designs. First, by using two common additive manufacturing techniques, namely fused deposition modelling and multi-jet modelling to prototype customized 3D microfluidic devices (chips and connectors). Secondly, by manufacturing transparent Silicon (Si)/Glass chips with similar channel geometries but obtained by a new approach of deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) technology suitable with in situ small angle X-ray scattering characterizations. LNCs were successfully produced by a phase inversion composition (PIC) process with highly monodispersed sizes from 25 nm to 100 nm and formulated using chips manufactured by 3D printing and DRIE technologies. The transparent Si/Glass chip was also used for the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of the LNC formulation with the PIC process. The 3D printing and DRIE technologies and their respective advantages are discussed in terms of cost, easiness to deploy and process developments in a GALECHIP point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rolley
- MINT Lab, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, France.
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33
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Liu Y, Sun L, Zhang H, Shang L, Zhao Y. Microfluidics for Drug Development: From Synthesis to Evaluation. Chem Rev 2021; 121:7468-7529. [PMID: 34024093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug development is a long process whose main content includes drug synthesis, drug delivery, and drug evaluation. Compared with conventional drug development procedures, microfluidics has emerged as a revolutionary technology in that it offers a miniaturized and highly controllable environment for bio(chemical) reactions to take place. It is also compatible with analytical strategies to implement integrated and high-throughput screening and evaluations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the entire microfluidics-based drug development system, from drug synthesis to drug evaluation. The challenges in the current status and the prospects for future development are also discussed. We believe that this review will promote communications throughout diversified scientific and engineering communities that will continue contributing to this burgeoning field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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34
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Gupta V, Paull B. PolyJet printed high aspect ratio three-dimensional bifurcating microfluidic flow distributor and its application in solid-phase extraction. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1168:338624. [PMID: 34051999 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic distributors that can uniformly distribute fluid from a single channel to multiple channels and into, or across, 3D spaces and vice versa has always represented a challenge. Recently, significant interest has been observed in 3D printing three-dimensional flow distributors. However, they either lack their use at low flow rates or in high aspect ratio environments, which are usually encountered in various applications, such as generating organs-on-a-chip, chromatographic columns, solid-phase extractors, etc. Hence, herein, a three-dimensional bifurcating microfluidic distributor that can be used in both low flow rate and high aspect ratio environments has been designed and developed using PolyJet printing. A 1:4 aspect ratio distributor has been developed with 64 exit channels (array of 16 X 4), however, it can be easily customised to modulate both the aspect ratio and the number of exit channels (in the order of 2). Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of 0.2 and 0.1 mL min-1 flow through the distributor recorded a maldistribution factor of only 2.29% and 1.72%, respectively. The distributor has resulted in low-dispersion divergence and convergence of flow to and from 64 parallel channels while operating at flow rates ranging from 0.25 mL min-1 to 2 mL min-1. It has been further used to develop a high-performance online solid-phase extractor. The extractor was designed with the three-dimensional bifurcating distributor based inlet and outlet and a packed bed of 15 × 20 × 8 mm (length × breadth × height), which resulted in extraction efficiency of 88.8% ± 0.3. In comparison, the extraction efficiency of 81.1% ± 1.1 and 70.4% ± 0.8 was obtained with its two-dimensional distributor and single-channel inlet and outlet based counterparts, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Gupta
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Sciences (ACROSS) and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Brett Paull
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Sciences (ACROSS) and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia
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35
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Kim YT, Choi JS, Choi E, Shin H. Additive manufacturing of a 3D vascular chip based on cytocompatible hydrogel. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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36
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Vitorino R, Guedes S, da Costa JP, Kašička V. Microfluidics for Peptidomics, Proteomics, and Cell Analysis. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1118. [PMID: 33925983 PMCID: PMC8145566 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidics is the advanced microtechnology of fluid manipulation in channels with at least one dimension in the range of 1-100 microns. Microfluidic technology offers a growing number of tools for manipulating small volumes of fluid to control chemical, biological, and physical processes relevant to separation, analysis, and detection. Currently, microfluidic devices play an important role in many biological, chemical, physical, biotechnological and engineering applications. There are numerous ways to fabricate the necessary microchannels and integrate them into microfluidic platforms. In peptidomics and proteomics, microfluidics is often used in combination with mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. This review provides an overview of using microfluidic systems for peptidomics, proteomics and cell analysis. The application of microfluidics in combination with MS detection and other novel techniques to answer clinical questions is also discussed in the context of disease diagnosis and therapy. Recent developments and applications of capillary and microchip (electro)separation methods in proteomic and peptidomic analysis are summarized. The state of the art of microchip platforms for cell sorting and single-cell analysis is also discussed. Advances in detection methods are reported, and new applications in proteomics and peptidomics, quality control of peptide and protein pharmaceuticals, analysis of proteins and peptides in biomatrices and determination of their physicochemical parameters are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Vitorino
- UnIC, Departamento de Cirurgia e Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 4785-999 Porto, Portugal
- iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 00351234 Aveiro, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 00351234 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Sofia Guedes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 00351234 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - João Pinto da Costa
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 00351234 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Václav Kašička
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemigovo n. 542/2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Markoski A, Wong IY, Borenstein JT. 3D Printed Monolithic Device for the Microfluidic Capture, Perfusion, and Analysis of Multicellular Spheroids. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:646441. [PMID: 35047914 PMCID: PMC8757790 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.646441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic systems for the analysis of tissue models of cancer and other diseases are rapidly emerging, with an increasing recognition that perfusion is required to recapitulate critical aspects of the in vivo microenvironment. Here we report on the first application of 3D printing for the fabrication of monolithic devices suitable for capturing and imaging tumor spheroids under dynamic perfusion flow. Resolution of the printing process has been refined to a level sufficient to obtain high precision features that enable capture and retention of tumor spheroids in a perfusion flow stream that provides oxygen and nutrient requirements sufficient to sustain viability over several days. Use of 3D printing enables rapid design cycles, based on optimization of computational fluid dynamic analyses, much more rapidly than conventional techniques involving replica molding from photolithographic masters. Ultimately, these prototype design and fabrication approaches may be useful in generating highly multiplexed monolithic arrays capable of supporting rapid and efficient evaluation of therapeutic candidates in the cancer drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Markoski
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Bio Instrumentation, Draper, Bioengineering Division, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Ian Y. Wong
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- *Correspondence: Ian Y. Wong
| | - Jeffrey T. Borenstein
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Bio Instrumentation, Draper, Bioengineering Division, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Jeffrey T. Borenstein
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38
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Can 3D Printing Bring Droplet Microfluidics to Every Lab?-A Systematic Review. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12030339. [PMID: 33810056 PMCID: PMC8004812 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, additive manufacturing has steadily gained attention in both research and industry. Applications range from prototyping to small-scale production, with 3D printing offering reduced logistics overheads, better design flexibility and ease of use compared with traditional fabrication methods. In addition, printer and material costs have also decreased rapidly. These advantages make 3D printing attractive for application in microfluidic chip fabrication. However, 3D printing microfluidics is still a new area. Is the technology mature enough to print complex microchannel geometries, such as droplet microfluidics? Can 3D-printed droplet microfluidic chips be used in biological or chemical applications? Is 3D printing mature enough to be used in every research lab? These are the questions we will seek answers to in our systematic review. We will analyze (1) the key performance metrics of 3D-printed droplet microfluidics and (2) existing biological or chemical application areas. In addition, we evaluate (3) the potential of large-scale application of 3D printing microfluidics. Finally, (4) we discuss how 3D printing and digital design automation could trivialize microfluidic chip fabrication in the long term. Based on our analysis, we can conclude that today, 3D printers could already be used in every research lab. Printing droplet microfluidics is also a possibility, albeit with some challenges discussed in this review.
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Paoli R, Di Giuseppe D, Badiola-Mateos M, Martinelli E, Lopez-Martinez MJ, Samitier J. Rapid Manufacturing of Multilayered Microfluidic Devices for Organ on a Chip Applications. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21041382. [PMID: 33669434 PMCID: PMC7920479 DOI: 10.3390/s21041382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microfabrication and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) soft-lithography techniques became popular for microfluidic prototyping at the lab, but even after protocol optimization, fabrication is yet a long, laborious process and partly user-dependent. Furthermore, the time and money required for the master fabrication process, necessary at any design upgrade, is still elevated. Digital Manufacturing (DM) and Rapid-Prototyping (RP) for microfluidics applications arise as a solution to this and other limitations of photo and soft-lithography fabrication techniques. Particularly for this paper, we will focus on the use of subtractive DM techniques for Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) applications. Main available thermoplastics for microfluidics are suggested as material choices for device fabrication. The aim of this review is to explore DM and RP technologies for fabrication of an OoC with an embedded membrane after the evaluation of the main limitations of PDMS soft-lithography strategy. Different material options are also reviewed, as well as various bonding strategies. Finally, a new functional OoC device is showed, defining protocols for its fabrication in Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP) using two different RP technologies. Different cells are seeded in both sides of the membrane as a proof of concept to test the optical and fluidic properties of the device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Paoli
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15–21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.P.); (M.B.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3–5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Davide Di Giuseppe
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (D.D.G.); (E.M.)
- Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Studies on Lab-on-Chip and Organ-on-Chip Applications (IC-LOC), University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maider Badiola-Mateos
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15–21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.P.); (M.B.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3–5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eugenio Martinelli
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (D.D.G.); (E.M.)
- Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Studies on Lab-on-Chip and Organ-on-Chip Applications (IC-LOC), University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Jose Lopez-Martinez
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15–21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.P.); (M.B.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3–5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.-M.); (J.S.)
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15–21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.P.); (M.B.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3–5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.-M.); (J.S.)
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40
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Davis JJ, Foster SW, Grinias JP. Low-cost and open-source strategies for chemical separations. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1638:461820. [PMID: 33453654 PMCID: PMC7870555 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, a trend toward utilizing open access resources for laboratory research has begun. Open-source design strategies for scientific hardware rely upon the use of widely available parts, especially those that can be directly printed using additive manufacturing techniques and electronic components that can be connected to low-cost microcontrollers. Open-source software eliminates the need for expensive commercial licenses and provides the opportunity to design programs for specific needs. In this review, the impact of the "open-source movement" within the field of chemical separations is described, primarily through a comprehensive look at research in this area over the past five years. Topics that are covered include general laboratory equipment, sample preparation techniques, separations-based analysis, detection strategies, electronic system control, and software for data processing. Remaining hurdles and possible opportunities for further adoption of open-source approaches in the context of these separations-related topics are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Davis
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Samuel W Foster
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - James P Grinias
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States.
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41
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Mehta V, Rath SN. 3D printed microfluidic devices: a review focused on four fundamental manufacturing approaches and implications on the field of healthcare. Biodes Manuf 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42242-020-00112-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Balakrishnan HK, Badar F, Doeven EH, Novak JI, Merenda A, Dumée LF, Loy J, Guijt RM. 3D Printing: An Alternative Microfabrication Approach with Unprecedented Opportunities in Design. Anal Chem 2020; 93:350-366. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hari Kalathil Balakrishnan
- Centre for Rural and Regional Futures, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Faizan Badar
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Egan H. Doeven
- Centre for Rural and Regional Futures, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - James I. Novak
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Andrea Merenda
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Ludovic F. Dumée
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 0000, United Arab Emirates
- Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and Hydrogen, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 0000, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Membrane and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 0000, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jennifer Loy
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Rosanne M. Guijt
- Centre for Rural and Regional Futures, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
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43
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Syed MS, Mirakhorli F, Marquis C, Taylor RA, Warkiani ME. Particle movement and fluid behavior visualization using an optically transparent 3D-printed micro-hydrocyclone. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:064106. [PMID: 33269035 PMCID: PMC7679180 DOI: 10.1063/5.0025391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A hydrocyclone is a macroscale separation device employed in various industries, with many advantages, including high-throughput and low operational costs. Translating these advantages to microscale has been a challenge due to the microscale fabrication limitations that can be surmounted using 3D printing technology. Additionally, it is difficult to simulate the performance of real 3D-printed micro-hydrocyclones because of turbulent eddies and the deviations from the design due to printing resolution. To address these issues, we propose a new experimental method for the direct observation of particle motion in 3D printed micro-hydrocyclones. To do so, wax 3D printing and soft lithography were used in combination to construct a transparent micro-hydrocyclone in a single block of polydimethylsiloxane. A high-speed camera and fluorescent particles were employed to obtain clear in situ images and to confirm the presence of the vortex core. To showcase the use of this method, we demonstrate that a well-designed device can achieve a 95% separation efficiency for a sample containing a mixture of (desired) stem cells and (undesired) microcarriers. Overall, we hope that the proposed method for the direct visualization of particle trajectories in micro-hydrocyclones will serve as a tool, which can be leveraged to accelerate the development of micro-hydrocyclones for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Shakeel Syed
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Fateme Mirakhorli
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Christopher Marquis
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Su R, Wen J, Su Q, Wiederoder MS, Koester SJ, Uzarski JR, McAlpine MC. 3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/41/eabc9846. [PMID: 33036980 PMCID: PMC7546717 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc9846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices fabricated via soft lithography have demonstrated compelling applications such as lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, DNA microarrays, and cell-based assays. These technologies could be further developed by directly integrating microfluidics with electronic sensors and curvilinear substrates as well as improved automation for higher throughput. Current additive manufacturing methods, such as stereolithography and multi-jet printing, tend to contaminate substrates with uncured resins or supporting materials during printing. Here, we present a printing methodology based on precisely extruding viscoelastic inks into self-supporting microchannels and chambers without requiring sacrificial materials. We demonstrate that, in the submillimeter regime, the yield strength of the as-extruded silicone ink is sufficient to prevent creep within a certain angular range. Printing toolpaths are specifically designed to realize leakage-free connections between channels and chambers, T-shaped intersections, and overlapping channels. The self-supporting microfluidic structures enable the automatable fabrication of multifunctional devices, including multimaterial mixers, microfluidic-integrated sensors, automation components, and 3D microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruitao Su
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jiaxuan Wen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Qun Su
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Michael S Wiederoder
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Steven J Koester
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joshua R Uzarski
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Michael C McAlpine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Abstract
Microfluidic devices developed over the past decade feature greater intricacy, increased performance requirements, new materials, and innovative fabrication methods. Consequentially, new algorithmic and design approaches have been developed to introduce optimization and computer-aided design to microfluidic circuits: from conceptualization to specification, synthesis, realization, and refinement. The field includes the development of new description languages, optimization methods, benchmarks, and integrated design tools. Here, recent advancements are reviewed in the computer-aided design of flow-, droplet-, and paper-based microfluidics. A case study of the design of resistive microfluidic networks is discussed in detail. The review concludes with perspectives on the future of computer-aided microfluidics design, including the introduction of cloud computing, machine learning, new ideation processes, and hybrid optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elishai Ezra Tsur
- Neuro-Biomorphic Engineering Lab (NBEL), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana 4353701, Israel;
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46
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Razavi Bazaz S, Rouhi O, Raoufi MA, Ejeian F, Asadnia M, Jin D, Ebrahimi Warkiani M. 3D Printing of Inertial Microfluidic Devices. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5929. [PMID: 32246111 PMCID: PMC7125121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inertial microfluidics has been broadly investigated, resulting in the development of various applications, mainly for particle or cell separation. Lateral migrations of these particles within a microchannel strictly depend on the channel design and its cross-section. Nonetheless, the fabrication of these microchannels is a continuous challenging issue for the microfluidic community, where the most studied channel cross-sections are limited to only rectangular and more recently trapezoidal microchannels. As a result, a huge amount of potential remains intact for other geometries with cross-sections difficult to fabricate with standard microfabrication techniques. In this study, by leveraging on benefits of additive manufacturing, we have proposed a new method for the fabrication of inertial microfluidic devices. In our proposed workflow, parts are first printed via a high-resolution DLP/SLA 3D printer and then bonded to a transparent PMMA sheet using a double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Using this method, we have fabricated and tested a plethora of existing inertial microfluidic devices, whether in a single or multiplexed manner, such as straight, spiral, serpentine, curvilinear, and contraction-expansion arrays. Our characterizations using both particles and cells revealed that the produced chips could withstand a pressure up to 150 psi with minimum interference of the tape to the total functionality of the device and viability of cells. As a showcase of the versatility of our method, we have proposed a new spiral microchannel with right-angled triangular cross-section which is technically impossible to fabricate using the standard lithography. We are of the opinion that the method proposed in this study will open the door for more complex geometries with the bespoke passive internal flow. Furthermore, the proposed fabrication workflow can be adopted at the production level, enabling large-scale manufacturing of inertial microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Razavi Bazaz
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Omid Rouhi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Mohammad Amin Raoufi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Ejeian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Mohsen Asadnia
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Dayong Jin
- Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- SUStech-UTS joint Research Centre for Biomedical Materials & Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, P.R. China
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- SUStech-UTS joint Research Centre for Biomedical Materials & Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, P.R. China.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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47
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Raoufi MA, Razavi Bazaz S, Niazmand H, Rouhi O, Asadnia M, Razmjou A, Ebrahimi Warkiani M. Fabrication of unconventional inertial microfluidic channels using wax 3D printing. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:2448-2459. [PMID: 31984393 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02067e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Inertial microfluidics has emerged over the past decade as a powerful tool to accurately control cells and microparticles for diverse biological and medical applications. Many approaches have been proposed to date in order to increase the efficiency and accuracy of inertial microfluidic systems. However, the effects of channel cross-section and solution properties (Newtonian or non-Newtonian) have not been fully explored, primarily due to limitations in current microfabrication methods. In this study, we overcome many of these limitations using wax 3D printing technology and soft lithography through a novel workflow, which eliminates the need for the use of silicon lithography and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bonding. We have shown that by adding dummy structures to reinforce the main channels, optimizing the gap between the dummy and main structures, and dissolving the support wax on a PDMS slab to minimize the additional handling steps, one can make various non-conventional microchannels. These substantially improve upon previous wax printed microfluidic devices where the working area falls into the realm of macrofluidics rather than microfluidics. Results revealed a surface roughness of 1.75 μm for the printed channels, which does not affect the performance of inertial microfluidic devices used in this study. Channels with complex cross-sections were fabricated and then analyzed to investigate the effects of viscoelasticity and superposition on the lateral migration of the particles. Finally, as a proof of concept, microcarriers were separated from human mesenchymal stem cells using an optimized channel with maximum cell-holding capacity, demonstrating the suitability of these microchannels in the bioprocessing industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Raoufi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
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48
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Tong A, Pham QL, Shah V, Naik A, Abatemarco P, Voronov R. Automated Addressable Microfluidic Device for Minimally Disruptive Manipulation of Cells and Fluids within Living Cultures. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:1809-1820. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anh Tong
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, 161 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Quang Long Pham
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, 161 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Vatsal Shah
- Department of Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, Suite 3500, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Federated Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, Suite 204, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Akshay Naik
- Helen and John C. Hartmann Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, Suite 200, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Paul Abatemarco
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, 161 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Roman Voronov
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, 161 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering, 323 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
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49
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Horowitz LF, Rodriguez AD, Ray T, Folch A. Microfluidics for interrogating live intact tissues. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2020; 6:69. [PMID: 32879734 PMCID: PMC7443437 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-020-0164-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The intricate microarchitecture of tissues - the "tissue microenvironment" - is a strong determinant of tissue function. Microfluidics offers an invaluable tool to precisely stimulate, manipulate, and analyze the tissue microenvironment in live tissues and engineer mass transport around and into small tissue volumes. Such control is critical in clinical studies, especially where tissue samples are scarce, in analytical sensors, where testing smaller amounts of analytes results in faster, more portable sensors, and in biological experiments, where accurate control of the cellular microenvironment is needed. Microfluidics also provides inexpensive multiplexing strategies to address the pressing need to test large quantities of drugs and reagents on a single biopsy specimen, increasing testing accuracy, relevance, and speed while reducing overall diagnostic cost. Here, we review the use of microfluidics to study the physiology and pathophysiology of intact live tissues at sub-millimeter scales. We categorize uses as either in vitro studies - where a piece of an organism must be excised and introduced into the microfluidic device - or in vivo studies - where whole organisms are small enough to be introduced into microchannels or where a microfluidic device is interfaced with a live tissue surface (e.g. the skin or inside an internal organ or tumor) that forms part of an animal larger than the device. These microfluidic systems promise to deliver functional measurements obtained directly on intact tissue - such as the response of tissue to drugs or the analysis of tissue secretions - that cannot be obtained otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa F. Horowitz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Adán D. Rodriguez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Tyler Ray
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
| | - Albert Folch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
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50
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Fallahi H, Zhang J, Phan HP, Nguyen NT. Flexible Microfluidics: Fundamentals, Recent Developments, and Applications. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E830. [PMID: 31795397 PMCID: PMC6953028 DOI: 10.3390/mi10120830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Miniaturization has been the driving force of scientific and technological advances over recent decades. Recently, flexibility has gained significant interest, particularly in miniaturization approaches for biomedical devices, wearable sensing technologies, and drug delivery. Flexible microfluidics is an emerging area that impacts upon a range of research areas including chemistry, electronics, biology, and medicine. Various materials with flexibility and stretchability have been used in flexible microfluidics. Flexible microchannels allow for strong fluid-structure interactions. Thus, they behave in a different way from rigid microchannels with fluid passing through them. This unique behaviour introduces new characteristics that can be deployed in microfluidic applications and functions such as valving, pumping, mixing, and separation. To date, a specialised review of flexible microfluidics that considers both the fundamentals and applications is missing in the literature. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary including: (i) Materials used for fabrication of flexible microfluidics, (ii) basics and roles of flexibility on microfluidic functions, (iii) applications of flexible microfluidics in wearable electronics and biology, and (iv) future perspectives of flexible microfluidics. The review provides researchers and engineers with an extensive and updated understanding of the principles and applications of flexible microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (H.F.); (J.Z.); (H.-P.P.)
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