Versatile and Automated 3D Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Patterning for Large-Scale Fabrication of Organ-on-Chip (OOC) Components

Abstract

We present a reproducible process to directly pattern 3-Dimensional (3D) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures for Organ-on-Chips (OOC) via automated molding. The presented process employs a commercially available system from IC packaging improving the fabrication process for microfluidic channels and thin membranes, which are components frequently used in OOCs. The process removes the manual steps used previously in the fabrication of microfluidic channels and improves the control over the thickness of the PDMS layers. The process was also employed to fabricate and pattern thin PDMS membranes on silicon wafers, without the use of lithography and etching steps and in combination with 3D structures. The use of foil assisted molding techniques presented in this work is an important step toward the large-scale manufacturing of OOCs.

Biomimetic microsystems for cardiovascular studies

“…3). PDMS offers several benefits such as optical clarity, low cytotoxicity, and gas permeability (13,34,35). PDMS can also be coated with ECM proteins to enhance cell attachment.…”