Design and Analysis of the Cell Microinjection Device

Abstract

The orientation of the cell has a significant impact on the survival rate of the cell after it is injected. A novel microinjection device with the function of adjusting the position and orientation of the cell is designed based on the technology of PDMS microfluidic, the operation of the cell’s microinjection is accomplished by controlling the moving of the cell. The injection device consists of micro channels and microelectrodes. The injection microneedle is fixed on the bottom center of a cylindrical area in this device, which joints several micro channels. The micro fluid ejected from the microchannel is employed to drive the cell rotate to adjust its orientation. The frequency of the alternating current signal applied on the electrode can be adjusted so that the dielectrophoresis force can be controllably varied. Therefore the motion of the cell can be spatially controlled, and the cell can be pierced by microneedle. The variation of dielectrophoresis force on cells with the variation of frequency in different conductivity solutions is also analyzed, the optimal frequency range of controlling cell’s motion is obtained. The result of analysis show that the position and orientation of the cell can be adjusted by using this microinjection device and the cell can also be injected in it.