Monday, November 5, 2007

Microfluidic Control of Microparticle Diffusion through A Semi-Permeable Matrix

Lauren Bolcar1, Zachary Simoncelli1, and Erin Jablonski2. (1) Chemical Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, (2) Department of Chemical Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837

In this study, microparticle flow and diffusion was observed through unique channel geometries patterned into a semi-permeable hydrogel matrix. The microfluidic channel geometry was designed to mimic the bifurcations of vasculature. First, the appropriate photomasks were created and used to fabricate a device master using photolithography. The master was used to emboss a cavity into a PDMS slab, which was adhered to a glass slide using plasma treatment. The inner PDMS surface was then subjected to surface chemical modification using a silane-based monolayer. To complete the fabrication of the device, the unique channel configuration was then patterned into an acrylated PEG hydrogel within the cavity. Finally, flow of microparticle-laden media through the microchannels and diffusion of microparticles into the hydrogel was observed. These observations have implications for drug delivery and fluid mechanics phenomena involving tumor cells.