3D-printed microfluidic devices

Abstract

Microfluidics is a flourishing field, enabling a wide range of biochemical and clinical applications such as cancer screening, micro-physiological system engineering, high-throughput drug testing, and point-of-care diagnostics. However, fabrication of microfluidic devices is often complicated, time consuming, and requires expensive equipment and sophisticated cleanroom facilities. Three-dimensional (3D) printing presents a promising alternative to traditional techniques such as lithography and PDMS-glass bonding, not only by enabling rapid design iterations in the development stage, but also by reducing the costs associated with institutional infrastructure, equipment installation, maintenance, and physical space. With the recent advancements in 3D printing technologies, highly complex microfluidic devices can be fabricated via single-step, rapid, and cost-effective protocols, making microfluidics more accessible to users. In this review, we discuss a broad range of approaches for the application of 3D printing technology to fabrication of micro-scale lab-on-a-chip devices.

Moving from millifluidic to truly microfluidic sub-100-μm cross-section 3D printed devices

“…The topic of 3D printing of sub-millimeter-scale fluidics has had numerous reviews published in recent years [2,3,9–14], describing types of printers, and configurations and applications of devices. Here, we discuss improving resolution significantly to 3D print truly microfluidic (<100 μm cross-section) structures.…”

Recreating Physiological Environments In Vitro: Design Rules for Microfluidic‐Based Vascularized Tissue Constructs

“…This microfabrication method has been recognized as a rapid prototyping technique owing to its relatively straightforwardness and reduced time in design, fabrication, and cost of development in comparison to conventional methods . However, while a master mold can be reused repeatedly, the fabrication and development of a master mold usually require skilled technicians for accurate alignment and access to cleanrooms . As such, from a prototyping perspective, soft lithography using PDMS can be time consuming, labor intensive, and costly, limiting the iteration speed during the prototyping phase.…”

Diagnosi azkarrera bideratutako gailu mikro-fluidikoen garapen eta azterketa

“…Tradizionalki materialik ohikoenak beira eta silizioa izan dira, baina gaur egun jada material berri ugari erabiltzen dira, horien artean zabalduenak polimeroak izanik. Horrekin batera, fabrikazio teknika berriak sortu dira azken hamarkadetan: moldekatze termikoa, injekzio bidezko moldekatzea, laser bidezko fabrikazioa edo azkenaldian indarra hartzen ari den 3D inprimaketa, esaterako [9]. Joera horri jarraikiz, suspertzen ari den teknologia bat material polimerikoen desgasifikazio bidezko zirkuitu fluidikoen kontrola da.…”