A Bio-Manipulation Method Based on the Hydrodynamic Force of Multiple Microfluidic Streams

Abstract

This paper proposes a multiple microfluidic streambased manipulation (MMSM) system for bio-objects. It uses micro hydrodynamics and lab on chip (LOC) technology. Our method can implement the functions of micro manipulation and micro assembly of bio-objects in an open space without contact. Compared to other conventional bio-micro-manipulation and assembly methods, this system manipulates micro objects by controlling multiple microfluidic streams onto them from various directions. The advantages of this method are that it performs open space, multifunction, multi-scale, multi-degree-of-freedom, and non-invasive 3D manipulation. These microfluidic streams are generated simultaneously from multiple orifices. By regulating the parameters of the microfluidic stream, such as the position and number of operating orifices and the flow rate, the direction and velocity of the object can be controlled. To verify this principle, we design an open-space fluidic system for on-chip manipulation and calculated velocity and direction of the microfluidic stream using CFD simulation. Then the prototype microchip with an array of nine orifices is fabricated from glass. In experiments, demonstrations of rectilinear motion of a single cell andmicro particle are observed. The results presented in this paper show that this MMSM is capable of biomicromanipulation and micro assembly of bio-objects.