Abstract
Platelet separation and purification are required in many applications including in the detection and treatment of hemorrhagic and thrombotic diseases, in addition to transfusions and in medical research. In this study, platelet separation was evaluated using a novel zigzag microchannel fluidic device while leveraging a dielectrophoresis (DEP) electric field using the COMSOL multiphysics software package and additional experimentation. The zigzag-shaped microchannel was superior to straight channel devices for cell separation because the sharp corners reduced the required horizontal distance needed for separation and also contributed to an asymmetric DEP electric field. A perfect linear relationship was observed between the separation distance and the corner angles. A quadratic relationship (R2 = 0.99) was observed between the driving voltage and the width and the lengths of the channel, allowing for optimization of these properties. In addition, the voltage was inversely proportional to the channel width and proportional to the channel length. An optimal velocity ratio of 1:4 was identified for the velocities of the two device inlets. The proposed device was fabricated using laser engraving and lithography with optimized structures including a 0.5 mm channel width, a 120° corner angle, a 0.3 mm channel depth, and a 17 mm channel length. A separation efficiency of 99.4% was achieved using a voltage of 20 V and a velocity ratio of 1:4. The easy fabrication, lower required voltage, label-free detection, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness of this device make it suitable for point-of-care medicine and biological applications. Moreover, it can be used for the separation of other types of compounds including lipids.
Highlights
The rapid separation and purification of biological particles have attracted considerable research attention recently due to their value in research, especially in medical diagnosis and environmental detection applications [1,2,3]
We proposed a new zigzag-shaped microchannel configuration to achieve platelet separation through asymmetrical electric fields created by DEP forces that influenced cell motion
In contrast to the electric fields distributed by two electrodes in traditional DEP, the proposed device used a zigzag scattered structure to arrange the electrodes, allowing optimal separation of Red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets
Summary
The rapid separation and purification of biological particles have attracted considerable research attention recently due to their value in research, especially in medical diagnosis and environmental detection applications [1,2,3]. Centrifugation [4,5] is the most frequently used technology for separating biological particles. Centrifugation requires professional equipment, laboratory facilities, and operators, while being expensive and not suitable for point-of-care testing (POCT) [6,7]. Methods to separate biological particles have been extensively explored, with microfluidic technology [8,9,10] emerging as a promising means for separating particles. Microfluidics is a simple, low-cost, and easy-to-operate technology compared with traditional macroscale technology that requires large-scale operation equipment and a suitable laboratory facility. Tamura et al [15] used optical cell separation technology to separate and classify heterogeneous cancerous cells based on morphology, confirming the feasibility of optical technology in cancer cell manipulation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
