Manufacturing of miniature fluidic modules for lab-on-a-chip using UA photoresin from flexographic platemaking process

A new technique of fabrication of miniaturized fluidic devices was developed using a photoresin based on urethane and acrylate (UA) oligomers used to platemaking for flexographic printers on graphic industry. Fluidic mixers and reactors modules measuring 10´10 mm2 were manufactured, with channels width in the 0.25 to 1.00 mm range and 0.75 mm depth. Top covers 4.00 mm thick, with 1.26 mm diameter inlet and outlet holes were used to seal the channels. The sealed channel structures were formed using a film of photoresin as adhesive. Interconnections of 1.20 mm diameter and 10 mm long steel tubes were fixed into inlet and outlet holes. All fluidic modules were manufactured by photolithography of UA, sealed by ultraviolet cure of an UA adhesion layer, package in an UA container and successfully tested for leakage under 2´105 Pascal air pressure.