Programmable v-type valve for cell and particle manipulation in microfluidic devices

Abstract

A new microfluidic valve or a "v-type valve" which can be flexibly actuated to focus a fluid flow and block a specific area of a microchannel is demonstrated. Valves with different design parameters were fabricated by multilayer soft lithography and characterized at various operating pressures. To evaluate the functionality of the valve, single microparticles (∅ 7 μm and ∅ 15 μm) and single cells were trapped from flowing suspensions. Continuous processes of particle capture and release were achieved by controlling the actuation and deactuation of the valve. Integration of the v-type valve with poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) monolithic valves in microfluidic devices was demonstrated to illustrate the potential of the system in various applications such as the creation of a solid phase column, the isolation of a specific number of particles in reactors, and the capture and release of particles or cells in the flow of two immiscible liquids. We believe that this new valve system will be suitable for manipulating particles and cells in a broad range of applications.

Parallel probing of drug uptake of single cancer cells on a microfluidic device

“…B (a)). A v‐type valve, as recently reported by us , is incorporated to select and capture individual cells, which are subsequently placed into the individual cell chambers by peristaltic pumping with three valves (Fig. B (b)).…”

“…B (b). We applied a pressure of 0.02 bar to load the cell suspension and 1.2 bar for actuating the v‐type valve, as recently reported , for the capture of individual cells of interest, and this process was monitored through microscopy observation. In case multiple cells or cluster of cells were captured, we released the valve to let the cells flow into the outlet of the device without isolation.…”

“…Recently, we developed a v‐type valve for single particle and cell isolation . This flexible valve can capture cells, identify the type of cells, and either isolate or discard it based on the microscopic observation.…”

A Single-Layer PDMS Chamber for On-Chip Bacteria Culture

“…The ability to control the deflection of the thin membrane enables us to selectively control the beads or cells to pass as a controllable size filter. This can find usage in a wide range of applications [26].…”

Optimizing the Performance of Chromatographic Separations Using Microfluidics: Multiplexed and Quantitative Screening of Ligands and Target Molecules

“…An additional advantage of using microfluidic devices for chromatographic separations is the potential for parallel and automated process operation, from sample injection to signal read‐out, without resorting to complex, expensive, and bulky equipment. Fluidic control can be achieved by integrating microvalves for precise metering or mixing of solutions within the microchannel. Sensitive signal acquisition can be achieved by on‐chip integration of photosensors or by offline coupling with mass spectrometry .…”