1. Automated Microfluidic Cell Separator
Project Group: 16083 1

2. The P16083 Group Member Major Role Contact Jay Dolas BME Lead Engineer
Alexandra la Londe
Microfludics Specialist
Vincent Serianni II
Project Manager
Tyler Lisec ME
Lead Mechanical
Ryan Kinney EE
Lead Electrical
Chris Molinari
Controls Engineer 2

3. Background Summary – What is Microfluidics?
“Microfludics is the field that studies the manipulation of small amounts of fluids (10-9 to liters)”
“Microfluidics refers to the handling of liquids or gases at a scale generally below 1mm, where a number of phenomena that are NOT present or not predominant at larger scales can be exploited for numerous purposes”.
“The field of microfluidics is in essence multidisciplinary as it combines microfabrication tecniques with chemistry and biology”.
BIME Dr. Blanca Lapizco-Encinas 3

4. Background Summary – What is Dielectrophoretics?
Dielectrophoresis is the movement of particles due to polarization effects in a non-uniform electric field.
In the presence on a nonuniform electric field, one side of the dipole will be in a region with a lower field intensity.
This will produce and UNEVEN charge alignment in the particle, inducing it to move toward the regions of greater field strength
BIME Dr. Blanca Lapizco-Encinas 4

5. Background Summary - What Size of Particles? 5

6. Background Summary – Why Sort Cells?
Research and Testing
Teaching Tool
General Medical Purposes 6

7. Background Summary - Other Sorting Methods
Centrifuge
Flow Cytometry
Channel Geometry
Magnetic Based 7

8. Project Statement
A cell separator is a device that separates cells in a mixture, based upon pre- established criteria (biomarkers, size, electrical characteristics, etc.). This is necessary in many cell culture and diagnostic applications where downstream processes occur after cell culture, such as purification or analysis. Optimally, this device should not interfere with the viability or characteristics of the cells, while still being cost effective. Current cell separation devices require some sort of labeling (either fluorescent or magnetic) which is not only costly but can affect cell behavior and mortality. We propose an automated microfluidic system that utilizes developing technologies (dielectrophoretics) to reduce costs drastically while maintaining cell viability. The goals of this project are to develop a system that not only sorts cells without the use of labeling, but also fits within a biosafety cabinet, is self-driven, and is automated (hands-off once the sample is loaded and sequence has started). The expected result is a functional prototype that fits all of the goals above and is suitable for use in a teaching laboratory. The design and prototype must conform to intellectual property and diagnostic laboratory standards so that it may be marketed this as a definitive step forwards in cell separation technology.

9. Current State Flow Cytometry Hydrodynamic Cell Separator
Fluorescence labeling
Laser to excite and identify the cells
Additives could alter or damage cells
Hydrodynamic Cell Separator
Inertial forces to separate cell types
High shear forces can damage cells

10. Desired State Dielectrophoresis
Uses electric fields to manipulate the cell location in a stream
No need for additives
No added shear force

11. Project Goals and Deliverables
Working prototype that can:
Separate cells to demonstrate, in a class setting, the use of dielectrophoretics in cell separation
Act as a partially automated system
User only has to load the sample and set the target specifications
Maintain cell viability during sorting process
Accurately sorts the target cells
Documentation of the prototype that illustrates:
Proper use and care of the device
Target specifications for certain cells
Voltage amplitude and frequency standards in order to sort a given cell

12. Key Constraints Device start-up cost Weight, to be moved by 1 person
Electrical shielding and insulation
Bio-hazard containment
Footprint (2' x 1')
120V outlet compatible
Reusable channel
Channel is visible under microscope during run
Preform process within one hour

13. Use Scenarios – Teaching Aid13

14. Use Scenarios – Medical Field14

15. Stakeholders Customer – Dr. Blanca Lapizco-Encinas
End Users – Lab Workers, Professors, Researchers, Students
Potential Sponsors – Rheonix Inc. or the BME Department at RIT
Other Stakeholders – P16083 Group, MSD Team 15

16. Customer Requirements
Scale: 1 = Less Important, 3 = Moderately Important, 9 = Very Important 16

17. Customer Requirements
Separation can be visualized
Scale: 1 = Less Important, 3 = Moderately Important, 9 = Very Important 17

18. Engineering Requirements
Scale: 1 = Less Important, 3 = Moderately Important, 9 = Very Important

19. Engineering Requirements
Scale: 1 = Less Important, 3 = Moderately Important, 9 = Very Important

20. House of Quality n = Less Important n = Moderate Importance
n = Most Important

21. Project Plans MSD I: MSD II: Introduced to the project and group
Gather data for design and hardware
Research, Design, Review, Standards, Bill of Materials (BOM)
Interact with the Customer
Interview, Funding, Customer vs Engineering Requirements
MSD II:
Build validated designs
Circuits, PDMS Channels, 3D Print (where needed), Subsystems, Benchmarking
Present project in working state
Imagine RIT, Class Demo 21

22. Project Plans (First 3 Weeks)22

23. Project Plans (Next 3 Weeks)23

24. Project Plans (MSD I) 24

25. Risks 25

26. Technical Power Supply Failure Size/Weight Channel Fabrication Errors
Fluid Flow Pressure
Cells Having Similar Electrical Properties
Cell Viability 26

27. Resource Expense of Components Lack of Manpower Data Gathering
Cells for sorting
Clean Room Workers 27

28. Safety Electric Shock Lab Work Channel Fabrication Leaks 28 28

29. Environmental & Societal
Waste Generation
Potential Air Born Chemicals
Disposal of Chemicals
Class Room Setting
products/1621/images/3022/WS32001_warning _airborne_toxic_chemicals__ png?c=2 29