Flow focusing through gels as a tool to generate 3D concentration profiles in hydrogel-filled microfluidic chips. Issue 2 (14th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loessberg-Zahl, Joshua; van der Meer, Andries D.; van den Berg, Albert; Eijkel, Jan C. T.
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 19:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 206
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2018-12-14
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/c8lc01140k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : We present a novel extension of laminar flow patterning using Darcy flow within cured three-dimensional hydrogels for precise delivery of solutes. Abstract : Laminar flow patterning is an iconic microfluidic technology used to deliver chemicals to specific regions on a two-dimensional surface with high spatial fidelity. Here we present a novel extension of this technology using Darcy flow within a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel. Our test device is a simple 3-inlet microfluidic channel, totally filled with collagen, a cured biological hydrogel, where the concentration profiles of solutes are manipulated via the inlet pressures. This method allows solutes to be delivered with 50 micron accuracy within the gel, as we evidence by controlling concentration profiles of 40 kDa and 1 kDa fluorescent polysaccharide dyes. Furthermore, we design and test a 3D-printed version of our device with an extra two inlets for control of the vertical position of the concentration profile, demonstrating that this method is easily extensible to control of the concentration profile in 3D.