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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.
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.
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....
1. Design
In addition to low cost and rapid iteration, PETL technology can be easily customized to solve specific challenges. First, we describe a simple device consisting of a glass coverslip, a chamber layer, a channel layer, and an inlet/outlet layer (Figure 2). This device was designed to facilitate the imaging of cells and micro-organs under constant flow. Culture medium is replenished at low flow rates to encourage nutrient and gas exchange. The round chamber features a glass bottom, which allow.......
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.......
The work in this manuscript was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Grant No. CBET-1553826) (and associated ROA supplement) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Grant No. R35GM124935) to J.Z., and the Notre Dame Melchor Visiting Faculty fund to F.O. We would like to thank Jenna Sjoerdsma and Basar Bilgiçer for providing mammalian cells and culture protocols and Fabio Sacco for assistance with supplementary figures.
....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 |
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