Abstract
Microfluidic probes are an emerging tool used in a wide range of applications including surface biopatterning, immunohistology, and cell migration studies. They control flow above a surface by simultaneously injecting and aspirating fluids from a pen-like structure positioned a few tens of microns above a surface. Rather than confining flows inside microchannels they rely on recirculating flow patterns between the probe tip and the substrate to create a hydrodynamic flow confinement (HFC) zone in which reagents can be locally delivered to the surface. In this paper, we provide a theoretical model, supported by numerical simulations and experimental data, describing the extent of the HFC as a function of the two most important probe operation parameters, the ratio of aspiration to injection flow rate, and the distance between probe apertures. Two types of probes are studied: two-aperture microfluidic probes (MFPs) and microfluidic quadrupoles (MQs). In both cases, the model yields very accurate results and suggests a simple underlying theory based on 2D potential flows to understand probe operation. We further highlight how the model can be used to precisely control the probe's 'brush stroke' while in surface patterning mode. The understanding of probe operation made possible through the provided analytical model should lay the bases for computer-controlled probe calibration and operation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2014 |
| Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. |
| Pages | 1567-1570 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781424479290 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
| Event | 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2014 - Chicago, United States Duration: Aug 26 2014 → Aug 30 2014 |
Other
| Other | 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2014 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Chicago |
| Period | 8/26/14 → 8/30/14 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Informatics
- Computer Science Applications
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Systematic analysis of microfluidic probe design and operation. / Gervais, Thomas; Safavieh, Mohammadali; Qasaimeh, Mohammad; Juncker, David.
2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2014. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2014. p. 1567-1570 6943902.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Systematic analysis of microfluidic probe design and operation
AU - Gervais, Thomas
AU - Safavieh, Mohammadali
AU - Qasaimeh, Mohammad
AU - Juncker, David
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Microfluidic probes are an emerging tool used in a wide range of applications including surface biopatterning, immunohistology, and cell migration studies. They control flow above a surface by simultaneously injecting and aspirating fluids from a pen-like structure positioned a few tens of microns above a surface. Rather than confining flows inside microchannels they rely on recirculating flow patterns between the probe tip and the substrate to create a hydrodynamic flow confinement (HFC) zone in which reagents can be locally delivered to the surface. In this paper, we provide a theoretical model, supported by numerical simulations and experimental data, describing the extent of the HFC as a function of the two most important probe operation parameters, the ratio of aspiration to injection flow rate, and the distance between probe apertures. Two types of probes are studied: two-aperture microfluidic probes (MFPs) and microfluidic quadrupoles (MQs). In both cases, the model yields very accurate results and suggests a simple underlying theory based on 2D potential flows to understand probe operation. We further highlight how the model can be used to precisely control the probe's 'brush stroke' while in surface patterning mode. The understanding of probe operation made possible through the provided analytical model should lay the bases for computer-controlled probe calibration and operation.
AB - Microfluidic probes are an emerging tool used in a wide range of applications including surface biopatterning, immunohistology, and cell migration studies. They control flow above a surface by simultaneously injecting and aspirating fluids from a pen-like structure positioned a few tens of microns above a surface. Rather than confining flows inside microchannels they rely on recirculating flow patterns between the probe tip and the substrate to create a hydrodynamic flow confinement (HFC) zone in which reagents can be locally delivered to the surface. In this paper, we provide a theoretical model, supported by numerical simulations and experimental data, describing the extent of the HFC as a function of the two most important probe operation parameters, the ratio of aspiration to injection flow rate, and the distance between probe apertures. Two types of probes are studied: two-aperture microfluidic probes (MFPs) and microfluidic quadrupoles (MQs). In both cases, the model yields very accurate results and suggests a simple underlying theory based on 2D potential flows to understand probe operation. We further highlight how the model can be used to precisely control the probe's 'brush stroke' while in surface patterning mode. The understanding of probe operation made possible through the provided analytical model should lay the bases for computer-controlled probe calibration and operation.
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U2 - 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6943902
DO - 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6943902
M3 - Conference contribution
SP - 1567
EP - 1570
BT - 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2014
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ER -