An anti-clogging method for improving the performance and lifespan of blood plasma separation devices in real-time and continuous microfluidic systems

Abstract

On-chip blood plasma separators using microfluidic channels are typically developed as disposable devices for short-term use only because blood cells tend to clog the microchannels, limiting their application in real-time and continuous systems. In this study, we propose an anti-clogging method. We applied dielectrophoresis to prevent microchannel clogging in a plasma separator that can be used over long periods for real-time and continuous monitoring. Prior to applying the anti-clogging method, the blood plasma separator stopped working after 4 h. In contrast, by manipulating the separator with the new anti-clogging method at a voltage of 20 V, it continued working in a long-term experiment for 12 h without performance deterioration or an increase in cell loss. Two critical performance parameters of the manipulated separator, the purity efficiency and the plasma yield, were 97.23 ± 5.43% and 38.95 ± 9.34%, respectively, at 20 V after 15 min. Interestingly, the two performance parameters did not decrease during the long-term experiment. Hence, the blood plasma separator with the anti-clogging method is an interesting device for use in real-time and continuous blood plasma separation systems because of its consistent performance and improved lifespan.

Leveraging the elastic deformability of polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic channels for efficient intracellular delivery

“…Non-specific protein adhesion to PDMS has been reported as a significant issue that hinders PDMS-based microfluidics. 23,24 Furthermore, constricted channels that are wide enough for one or two cells suffer from the high probability of clogging due to inherent physical limitations. This clogging issue was observed in early flow cytometry systems where cells were flown through narrow channels to optimize optical analysis.…”

Influence of Stem-cell Size and Culture Media Flowing Modality on Cell’s Fate within a Microchannel; a Numerical Analysis

“…In this study, the boundary condition of walls was chosen as no-slip, so the microchannel material effect on cells fate is ignored. Since cell subsidence and, consequently, blockage of a micro-device is a catastrophe, solutions such as sheath fluid flow [43], applying dielectrophoresis [44], an increase in wall shear stress to separate cells from microchannel wall [45] can be considered to overcome this phenomenon.…”

SLIPS-LAB—A bioinspired bioanalysis system for metabolic evaluation of urinary stone disease

“…The ultra-repellency of SLIPS, as indicated by a small contact angle hysteresis, significantly reduces the friction and enables autonomous droplet transportation (32,33), SLIPS-LAB allows liquid handling procedures without the requirement of external power or control. Furthermore, microfluidics, because of the large surface-tovolume ratio, is highly prone to biofouling and clogging of channels (34). Because SLIPS-LAB is antifouling, pinning free, and molecularly smooth, it is able to avoid adhesion of target analytes on the channel surface and allows manipulation of physiological fluids, such as urine and blood.…”