Semi-disposable microvalves for use with microfabricated devices or microchips

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The design, fabrication and performance characteristics of a semi-disposable CNC (computer numerical control) machined plexiglass microvalve system for use with microfabricated devices or microchips designed for human cell isolation and DNA amplification systems are described. Unlike other silicon chip-based microvalve systems, the CNC machined microvalve system is easy to fabricate, and it does not require a clean-room environment and complicated microfabrication procedures. The non-silicon-based microvalve comprises a disposable CNC machined plexiglass base and a flexible plastic membrane. The microvalve was formed from two discontinuous micro-channel components. The plexiglass used for fabrication does not inhibit biochemical reactions and extensive experimental flow studies were performed to optimize the design of the microvalve assembly so as to allow controlled flow. Different types of plastic membrane and eight different discontinuous micro-channel valve geometries were investigated and an optimum design was chosen based on the experimental results. The final design of the microvalve has minimal dead volume (less than 0.16 µl). We have demonstrated that the CNC machined plexiglass microvalve system can process microliter and sub-microliter sized samples of human whole blood without attendant problems, such as loss of sample on the microvalve system and loss by evaporation.

This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit: