Rapid Fabrication of Custom Microfluidic Devices for Research and Educational Applications

Summary

Here we present a protocol to design and fabricate custom microfluidic devices with minimal financial and time investment. The aim is to facilitate the adoption of microfluidic technologies in biomedical research laboratories and educational settings.

Abstract

Microfluidic devices allow for the manipulation of fluids, particles, cells, micro-sized organs or organisms in channels ranging from the nano to submillimeter scales. A rapid increase in the use of this technology in the biological sciences has prompted a need for methods that are accessible to a wide range of research groups. Current fabrication standards, such as PDMS bonding, require expensive and time consuming lithographic and bonding techniques. A viable alternative is the use of equipment and materials that are easily affordable, require minimal expertise and allow for the rapid iteration of designs. In this work we describe a protocol for designing and producing PET-laminates (PETLs), microfluidic devices that are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, and consume significantly less time to generate than other approaches to microfluidics technology. They consist of thermally bonded film sheets, in which channels and other features are defined using a craft cutter. PETLs solve field-specific technical challenges while dramatically reducing obstacles to adoption. This approach facilitates the accessibility of microfluidics devices in both research and educational settings, providing a reliable platform for new methods of inquiry.

Introduction

Microfluidics enables fluid control at small scales, with volumes ranging from microliters (1 x 10^-6 L) to picoliters (1 x 10^-12 L). This control has been made possible in part due to the application of microfabrication techniques borrowed from the microprocessor industry¹. The use of micro-sized networks of channels and chambers allows the user to take advantage of the distinct physical phenomena characteristic of small dimensions. For example, at the micrometer scale, fluids can be manipulated using laminar flow, where viscous forces dominate inertial forces. As a result, diffusive transport becomes the prominent feature....

Protocol

1. Design

1. Identify an application for the devices and list the channel/chamber components that will be required.
   NOTE: All devices will require input and output channels. Devices used for microscopy will require an imaging chamber. More complex devices will require channels and chambers situated in multiple layers.
2. Start by hand-drawing each layer, considering how the device’s functionality is affected by the superposition of the layers.
3. Draw the final designs on a computer us.......

Discussion

While microfluidics are increasingly present in the toolbox of laboratories around the world, the pace of adoption has been disappointing, given the potential for its positive impact¹⁶. Low cost and high efficiency of microfluidic device fabrication are essential to accelerate adoption of this technology in the average research laboratory. The method described here uses multiple film layers to create two and three-dimensional devices at a fraction of the time and cost required by lithographic meth.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Biopsy punch (1mm)	Miltex	33-31AA	Optional, replaces rotary tool set up
Blunt needles	Janel, Inc.	JEN JG18-0.5X-90	Remove plastic and attach to Tygon tubing
Coverslips	Any		24 x 60 mm are preferred
Cutting Mat and blades	Silhouette America or Nicapa	www.silhouetteamerica.com/shop/blades-and-mats	Re-use/Disposables
Double-sided tape	Scotch/3M	667	Small amounts, any width or brand
PEEK tubing	IDEX/any	1581L	Different configurations available. Consider using Tygon tubing intead, if not already using PEEK
PET/EVA thermal laminate film	Scotch/3M & Transcendia	TP3854-200,TP5854-100 & transcendia.com/products/trans-kote-pet	3 - 6 mil (mil = 1/1000 inch) laminating pouches or rolls.
PVC film - Cling Wrap	Glad / Any		Food wrapping
Rotary tool-drill	Dremel/Any	200-121 or other	1/32 and 3/64" drill bits from Dremel recommended
Rubber Roller	Speedball	4126	To facilitate adhesion, any brand will work
Scissors & tweezers	Any	Fiskars-Inch-Titanium-Softgrip-Scissors |Cole-Parmer –# UX-07387-12	Quality brands are recommended
Silhouette CAMEO Craft cutter	Silhouette America	www.silhouetteamerica.com/shop/cameo/SILHOUETTE-CAMEO-3-4T	Preferred craft cutter
Silhouette Studio software	Silhouette America	www.silhouetteamerica.com/software	Controls the craft cutter and provides drawing tools (free download MAC and PC)
Syringe Pump	Harvard Apparatus or New Era	70-4504 or NE-300	Pumps are ideal, pipettes or burettes can be used.
Syringes	Any		1-3mL
Thermal laminator	Scotch/3M	TL906	Standard home/office model
Tygon tubing (E-3603)	Cole-Parmer	EW-06407-70	Use with blunt needle tips
Vinyl furniture bumpers	DerBlue/3M/ Everbilt	Clear, self-adhesive (6 x 2 mm and 8 x 3 mm)	Round bumpers are recommended