An Open-Source, Programmable Pneumatic Setup for Operation and Automated Control of Single- and Multi-Layer Microfluidic Devices

Abstract

Microfluidic technologies have been used across diverse disciplines (e.g. high-throughput biological measurement, fluid physics, laboratory fluid manipulation) but widespread adoption has been limited due to the lack of openly disseminated resources that enable non-specialist labs to make and operate their own devices. Here, we report the open-source build of a pneumatic setup capable of operating both single and multilayer (Quake-style) microfluidic devices with programmable scripting automation. This setup can operate both simple and complex devices with 48 device valve control inputs and 18 sample inputs, with modular design for easy expansion, at a fraction of the cost of similar commercial solutions. We present a detailed step-by-step guide to building the pneumatic instrumentation, as well as instructions for custom device operation using our software, Geppetto, through an easy-to-use GUI for live on-chip valve actuation and a scripting system for experiment automation. We show robust valve actuation with near real-time software feedback and demonstrate use of the setup for high-throughput biochemical measurements on-chip. This open-source setup will enable specialists and novices alike to run microfluidic devices easily in their own laboratories.

Controller for microfluidic large-scale integration

“…A complete microfluidic platform also includes pneumatic infrastructure to relay pressure to the solenoid valves and operate the microfluidic device. In this issue, Brower et al present a comprehensive pneumatic platform for microfluidic large-scale integration [16]. The KATARA may be used as an alternate control module in this platform, as it serves as a low-cost alternative to the Wago controller.…”

“…By choosing surface-mount components, replacing the IO card with an Arduino, and streamlining valve connections, the KATARA shield can control nearly three times as many valves at a lower cost. Other available microfluidic device controllers include the Wago controller (which is thoroughly described by Brower et al [16]), the URMC32 digital relay from numato, the Strey Lab shield for Arduino Uno that controls valves and pressure sources for eight pneumatic lines [17], the Li lab smartphone controller [18], the Maerkl lab controller [19], and a commercial device from Elveflow that can control up to sixteen valves. The KATARA software can be extended to interface with these and other microfluidic controllers (see supplement).…”

Plantsim - Uma Plataforma Em Código Livre Para Desenvolvimento De Práticas De Ensino De Automação Industrial

“…Uma plataforma com código aberto para o ensino de tecnologia de automação é relatada em Brower et al (2017), em que através de um simulador pneumático é possível operar dispositivos microfluídicos de camada única e multicamadas com automação de script programável. Essa configuração pode operar dispositivos simples e complexos com 48 dispositivos de entradas de válvulas, com projeto modular que permite uma fácil expansão, a uma fração do custo de soluções comerciais semelhantes.…”