Workshop, Cost-Effective and Streamlined Fabrications of Re-Usable World-To-Chip Connectors for Handling Sample of Limited Volume and for Assembling Chip Array

Abstract

The world-to-chip interface is an essential yet intriguing part of making and employing microfluidic devices. A user-friendly connector could be expensive or difficult to make. We fabricated two ports of microfluidic chips with easily available materials including Teflon blocks, double adhesive films, coverslips, and transparency films. By using a mini grinder, coverslips were drilled to form small holes for the fluid passages between port and chip. Except for the double adhesive films, the resultant ports are durable and re-useable. The DK1 port, contains a mini three-way switch which allows users to handle fluid by a tube-connected pump, or by a manual pipette for the sample of trace amount. The other port, the DK2 port, provides secured tube-connections. Importantly, we invented a bridge made of craft cutter-treated transparency films and double adhesive films to mediate liquid flow between DK2 port and chip. With the use of a bridge, users do not need to design new ports for new chips. Also, individual chips could be linked by a bridge to form a chip array. We successfully applied DK1 port on a microfluidic chip where green fluorescent protein was immobilized. We used DK2 port on an array of fish chips where the embryos of zebra fish developed.

Low-Cost Devices for Three-Dimensional Cell Aggregation, Real-Time Monitoring Microscopy, Microfluidic Immunostaining, and Deconvolution Analysis

“…We therefore took utmost care to use materials suitable for this purpose, Teflon in particular [ 23 ]. Using the proper materials, combined with the methods described, will support and thereby promote the production and implementation of low-cost micro-fluidic methods in most academic settings.…”

“…After several unsuccessful attempts using different sorts of synthetic materials such as PDMS or PMMA along with various surface coatings, hanging drop devices were made of polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly called Teflon. The completely inert and water-repellent material allows for easy machining using milling tools [ 23 ]. By cutting conical cavities, the stability of the drops was greatly enhanced.…”