Design of microfluidic sample preconditioning systems for detection of biological agents in environmental samples

Paul Yager; Martin A. Afromowitz; Darrel J. Bell; Fred K. Forster; James P. Brody; Dong Qin; Catherine Cabrera; Mark R. Holl; Andrew Evan Kamholz; Bernhard H. Weigl

doi:10.1117/12.322091

10 September 1998 Design of microfluidic sample preconditioning systems for detection of biological agents in environmental samples

Paul Yager, Martin A. Afromowitz, Darrel J. Bell, Fred K. Forster, James P. Brody, Dong Qin, Catherine Cabrera, Mark R. Holl, Andrew Evan Kamholz, Bernhard H. Weigl

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3515, Microfluidic Devices and Systems; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.322091
Event: Micromachining and Microfabrication, 1998, Santa Clara, CA, United States

Abstract

Monitoring of biologically active agents such as bacteria, viruses, proteins and small molecules in environmental samples poses complex analytical problems. The particulate nature of the analytes and potential interferents is of particular concern for microfluidic systems in which the channels may not be much larger than the particles themselves. For this reason, sample preconditioning upstream of a chemical analytical device will usually be required. However, the small dimensions of microfluidic devices also allow unique methods of sample purification, concentration, and detection. In our laboratory we have developed a series of microfluidic chemical analytical devices for such purposes. These devices rely on the low Reynolds number flow conditions. In such conditions field flow fractionation based on sedimentation, diffusion and electrophoresis perpendicular to the flow direction can be profitably harnessed to precondition samples. The H-filter is one such device in which a simple 4-port device that allows two fluids to be brought into adjacent flow, and then separated downstream into two (or more) flow streams after exchange of material under the influence of one or more fields. It can be fabricated using anodically bonded silicon and Pyrex channels, or using polymeric devices formed using `soft lithography' techniques. We have tested the ability of this device to be used for purification of bacteria and their spores from complex samples containing silica and other interferent particles. We will present results of our tests of this device, as well as initial attempts to integrate the H-filter into a sample preconditioning system that includes on-chip pumps.

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Paul Yager, Martin A. Afromowitz, Darrel J. Bell, Fred K. Forster, James P. Brody, Dong Qin, Catherine Cabrera, Mark R. Holl, Andrew Evan Kamholz, and Bernhard H. Weigl "Design of microfluidic sample preconditioning systems for detection of biological agents in environmental samples", Proc. SPIE 3515, Microfluidic Devices and Systems, (10 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.322091

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