title: Single-cell isolation using a DVD optical pickup.
abstract: A low-cost single-cell isolation system incorporating a digital versatile disc burner (DVD RW) optical pickup has been developed. We show that these readily available modules have the required laser power and focusing optics to provide a steady Gaussian beam capable of optically trapping micron-sized colloids and red blood cells. Utility of the pickup is demonstrated through the non-destructive isolation of such particles in a laminar-flow based microfluidic device that captures and translates single microscale objects across streamlines into designated channel exits. In this, the integrated objective lens focusing coils are used to steer the optical trap across the channel, resulting in the isolation of colloids and red blood cells using a very inexpensive off-the-shelf optical component.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasukurti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potcoava
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eggleton
authors.forename: D W M
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Marr
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002469:Cell Separation; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D007909:Lenses; D008422:Materials Testing; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D044085:Microfluidics; D016011:Normal Distribution; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011827:Radiation
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids