title: Single-layer planar on-chip flow cytometer using microfluidic drifting based three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing.
abstract: In this work, we demonstrate an on-chip microfluidic flow cytometry system based on a three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing technique, microfluidic drifting. By inducing Dean flow in a curved microfluidic channel, microfluidic drifting can be used to hydrodynamically focus cells or particles in the vertical direction and enables the 3D hydrodynamic focusing in a single-layer planar microfluidic device. Through theoretical calculation, numerical simulation, and experimental characterization, we found that the microfluidic drifting technique can be effectively applied to three-dimensionally focus microparticles with density and size equivalent to those of human CD4+ T lymphocytes. In addition, we developed a flow cytometry platform by integrating the 3D focusing device with a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system. The system was shown to provide effective high-throughput flow cytometry measurements at a rate of greater than 1700 cells s(-1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaole
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Sz-Chin Steven
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Tony Jun
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008863:Microspheres; D008962:Models, Theoretical