Abstract
A simple passive microfluidic device that continuously separates microparticles is presented. Its development is motivated by the need for specific size micro perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets to be used for a novel gas embolotherapy method. The device consists of a rectangular channel in which inertial lift forces are utilized to separate particles in lateral distance. At the entrance of the channel, particles are introduced at the center by focusing the flow from a center channel with flow from two side channels. Downstream, large particles will occupy a lateral equilibrium position in shorter axial distance than small particles. At the exit of the channel, flow containing large particles is separated from flow containing small particles. It is shown that 10.2-μm diameter microspheres can be separated from 3.0-μm diameter microspheres with a separation efficiency of 69–78% and a throughput in the order of 2 ·104 particles per minute. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations were done to calculate flow fields and verify theoretical particle trajectories. Theory underlying this research shows that higher separation efficiencies for very specific diameter cut-off are possible. This microfluidic channel design has a simple structure and can operate without external forces which makes it feasible for lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D.R. Absolom, C.J. van Oss et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 670(1), 74–78 (1981)
G.K. Batchelor, Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (Cambridge University Press, 1967)
A.A.S. Bhagat, S.S. Kuntaegowdanahalli, I. Papautsky, Microfluid Nanofluid (2008a). doi:10.1007/s10404-008-0377-2
A.A.S. Bhagat, S.S. Kuntaegowdanahalli, I. Papautsky, Lab. Chip 8, 1906–1914 (2008b)
A.A.S. Bhagat, S.S. Kuntaegowdanahalli, I. Papautsky, Phys. Fluids 20, 101702 (2008c)
H. Bruus, Theoretical Microfluidics (Oxford University Press, 2007)
J. Bull, Crit. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 33(4), 299–346 (2005)
J. Bull, in APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, 55th Annual Meeting (2002)
J. Bull, A.J. Calderon et al., in APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, 59th Annual Meeting (2006)
A.J. Calderon, Y.S. Heo, J.B. Fowlkes, J. Bull et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 244103 (2006)
B. Chun, A.J.C. Ladd, Phys. Fluids 18, 031704 (2006)
D. Di Carlo, D. Irimia, R.G. Tompkins et al., PNAS 104, 18892–18897 (2007)
D. Di Carlo, J.F. Edd, D. Irimia et al., Anal. Chem. 80, 2204–2211 (2008)
D. Di Carlo, J.F. Edd, K.J. Humphry et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 094503 (2009)
F. Durst, S. Ray et al., J. Fluids Eng. 127, 1154–1160 (2005)
D.M. Eckmann, M.A. Swartz, Matthew et al., Artif. Cells Blood Substit. Immobil. Biotechnol. 26(3), 259–271 (1998)
J.C. Giddings, Sep. Sci. Technol. 20, 749–768 (1985)
J.C. Giddings, F.J. Yang et al., Science 193, 1244–1245 (1976)
B.P. Ho, L.G. Leal, J. Fluid Mech. 65(2), 365–400 (1974)
D. Huh, J.H. Bahng, Y. Ling et al., Anal. Chem. 74(4), 1369–1376 (2007)
M.K. Inglesby, S.H. Zeronian, Dyes Pigm. 50, 3–11 (2001)
O.D. Kripfgans, J.B. Fowlkes et al., Ultrasound Med. Biol. 7, 1177–1189 (2000a)
O.D. Kripfgans, J.B. Fowlkes et al., in Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium PM-5 (2000b)
S.S. Kuntaegowdanahalli, A.A.S. Bhagat, G. Kumar, I. Papautsky, Lab Chip (2009). doi:10.1039/b908271a
T. Leakakos, E.G. Schutt, J.C. Cavin et al., Artif. Cells Blood Substit. Immobil. Biotechnol. 22(4), 1199–1204 (1994)
C. Lin, C. Lee, C. Tsai, L. Fu, Microfluid Nanofluid (2009). doi:10.1007/s10404-009-0403-z
F.T.M. Nieuwstadt, in Notes and Exercises Accompanying the Lecture Series Advanced Fluid Mechanics b56a (Delft University Press, 1995)
J. Park, S. Song, H. Jung, Lab Chip 9, 939–948 (2009)
A. Russom, A.K. Gupta, S. Nagrath, D. Di Carlo et al., New J. Phys. 11, 075025 (2009)
J.A. Schonberg, E.J. Hinch, J. Fluid Mech. 203, 517–524 (1989)
E. Sollier, H. Rostainga, P. Pouteaua et al., Sens. Actuators, B, Chem. 141, 617–624 (2009)
T. Ye, J. Bull, J. Biomed. Eng. 128, 554–563 (2006)
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by NIH grant RO1 EB006476.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nieuwstadt, H.A., Seda, R., Li, D.S. et al. Microfluidic particle sorting utilizing inertial lift force. Biomed Microdevices 13, 97–105 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-010-9474-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-010-9474-6