Efficient Low Shear Flow-based Trapping of Biological Entities

Capturing cells or biological entities is an important and challenging step toward in-vitro studies of cells under a precisely controlled microscale environment. In this work, we have developed a compact and efficient microdevice for on-chip trapping of micro-sized particles. This hydrodynamics-based trapping system allows the isolation of polystyrene micro-particles with a shorter time while inducing a less hydrodynamic deformation and stress on the particles or cells both after and before trapping. A numerical simulation was carried out to design a hydrodynamic trapping mechanism and optimize the geometric and fluidic parameters affecting the trapping efficiency of the microfluidic network. By using the finite element analysis, the velocity field, pressure field, and hydrodynamic force on the micro particles were studied. Finally, a PDMS microfluidic device was fabricated to test the device’s ability to trap polystyrene microspheres. Computational fluid analysis and experimental testing showed a high trapping efficiency that is more than 90%. This microdevice can be used for single cell studies including their biological, physical and chemical characterization.