Low-cost feedback-controlled syringe pressure pumps for microfluidics applications

Lake, John R.; Heyde, Keith C.; Ruder, Warren C.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175089

Cited by 101 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…However, we anticipate the AutoSipper and Fraction Collector will also be broadly useful for simple valveless devices that use syringe pumps to set fluid flow rates, especially in light of several recently published opensource syringe pump builds. 34,[57][58][59][60] In this configuration, the dual-lumen needle is vented to ambient pressure (or replaced with a conventional needle) and the device itself is mounted on the AutoSipper deck. After moving the AutoSipper to the correct well location, the syringe pump is used to withdraw fluid from well and into the tubing connected to the needle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

micrIO: An Open-Source Autosampler and Fraction Collector for Automated Microfluidic Input-Output

Longwell

Fordyce

2019

Preprint

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Microfluidic devices are an empowering technology for many labs, enabling a wide range of applications spanning highthroughput encapsulation, molecular separations, and long-term cell culture. In many cases, however, their utility is limited by a 'world-to-chip' barrier that makes it difficult to serially interface samples with these devices. As a result, many researchers are forced to rely on low-throughput, manual approaches for managing device input and output (IO) of samples, reagents, and effluent. Here, we present a hardware-software platform for automated microfluidic IO (micrIO). The platform, which is uniquely compatible with positive-pressure microfluidics, comprises an 'AutoSipper' for input and a Fraction Collector for output. To facilitate wide-spread adoption, both are open-source builds constructed from components that are readily purchased online or fabricated from included design files. The software control library, written in Python, allows the platform to be integrated with existing experimental setups and to coordinate IO with other functions such as valve actuation and assay imaging. We demonstrate these capabilities by coupling both the AutoSipper and Fraction Collector to a microfluidic device that produces beads with distinct spectral codes, and an analysis of the collected bead fractions establishes the ability of the platform to draw from and output to specific wells of multiwell plates with no detectable cross-contamination between samples. † Electronic Supplementary Information (ESI) available: [GitHub repository: https://github.com/FordyceLab/micrio ]. See

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

micrIO: An Open-Source Autosampler and Fraction Collector for Automated Microfluidic Input-Output

Longwell

Fordyce

2019

Preprint

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“…Generally, fluids containing a sample are driven through a device consisting of microfabricated channels that complete the required experimental steps. To transport the fluid, either a pressure gradient or electroosmotic force is commonly used [7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flattening of Diluted Species Profile via Passive Geometry in a Microfluidic Device

et al. 2019

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In recent years, microfluidic devices have become an important tool for use in lab-on-a-chip processes, including drug screening and delivery, bio-chemical reactions, sample preparation and analysis, chemotaxis, and separations. In many such processes, a flat cross-sectional concentration profile with uniform flow velocity across the channel is desired to achieve controlled and precise solute transport. This is often accommodated by the use of electroosmotic flow, however, it is not an ideal for many applications, particularly biomicrofluidics. Meanwhile, pressure-driven systems generally exhibit a parabolic cross-sectional concentration profile through a channel. We draw inspiration from finite element fluid dynamics simulations to design and fabricate a practical solution to achieving a flat solute concentration profile in a two-dimensional (2D) microfluidic channel. The channel possesses geometric features to passively flatten the solute profile before entering the defined region of interest in the microfluidic channel. An obviously flat solute profile across the channel is demonstrated in both simulation and experiment. This technology readily lends itself to many microfluidic applications which require controlled solute transport in pressure driven systems.2 of 11 channel [13][14][15]. However, EOF heavily relies on the electrical properties of the medium and surface, for instance, imperfections or chemical coatings on the channel surface can distort the concentration profile [16,17]. Moreover, the application of an electric field can potentially be incompatible with nonhomogeneous solutes/buffers used in the device and may have negative effects on biological samples [18,19]. It can also be difficult to use electroosmotic flows for particular processes, such as mixing particles, due to the irrotational nature of the flow [20,21]. Recently, flat concentration profiles could be generated through magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pumping [22]. To allow for effective MHD, the introduction of redox species to the fluid element is necessary. Thus, controlling the concentration profile in a microfluidics device without dependency on the liquid composition remains a challenge.Pressure-driven flows introduced with a mechanical syringe pump provide a simple and inexpensive alternative when EOF is not compatible with a device or the sample [13,23]. However, it is well known that a pressure gradient through a channel will introduce a parabolic flow profile in the axial direction. This is due to the no-slip condition found at the channel wall, which causes a non-uniform velocity gradient along the cross section of the channel [24]. Considering a two-dimensional (2D) cross-section of a rectangular channel, this effect is proportional to channel dimensions and much more significant in the axial dimension of a typical device. Accordingly, the introduction of such a parabolic profile prevents precise solute transport within the device.Related literature on the topic of Taylor dispersion in microfluidic channels has suggested that pa...

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“…Interestingly the term open-source laboratory equipment spans a large variety of applications ranging from a simple laboratory clamp [10] that requires only 3D printing and simple hardware, to more advanced instruments such as a system to determine the concentration of dissolved species [11], a system to provide a carefully controlled dose of a given reagent [12,13], a device to characterize the spatial profile of a laser beam easily [14], a centrifuge for DNA extraction [15] or a 3D-printable open-source platform for fluorescence microscopy [16], to name a few.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Automate a Kinematic Mount Using a 3D Printed Arduino-Based System

2018

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Abstract:We demonstrate a simple, flexible and cost-effective system to automatize most of the kinematic mounts available nowadays on the market. It combines 3D-printed components, an Arduino board, stepper motors and simple electronics. The developed system can control up to ten stepper motors independently and simultaneously using commands sent through the serial port, and it is suitable for applications where optical realignment using flat mirrors is required on a periodic basis.

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Low-cost feedback-controlled syringe pressure pumps for microfluidics applications

Cited by 101 publications

References 20 publications

micrIO: An Open-Source Autosampler and Fraction Collector for Automated Microfluidic Input-Output

micrIO: An Open-Source Autosampler and Fraction Collector for Automated Microfluidic Input-Output

Flattening of Diluted Species Profile via Passive Geometry in a Microfluidic Device

How to Automate a Kinematic Mount Using a 3D Printed Arduino-Based System

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