Design and simulation of a novel integrated microfluidic chip for cell isolation and culture.

Abstract

The lab on a chip is utilized as a background and a substrate for creating a proper flow for cellular processes in medicine. In this study, the concepts of cell isolation and cell transfer methods have been discussed. After that, the device of separation and transfer systems has been designed, simulated, and verified by placing the frequency of particle separation and droplet formation, which is tried to introduce a new device that can be used in cellular studies. The optimal operation conditions for the problem have also been investigated. High separation efficiency (99%) could be achieved when the velocity of the sample inlet in the microchannel separator is 180μm/s. Also, a microfluidic device for droplet generation has been designed to transfer the isolated cells to the culture medium. For this purpose, the frequency of droplet production must be synchronized with particle ejection frequency and equals 9.09Hz.