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Microfluidics application note

How to perform the microfluidic injection of a controlled volume of sample?

The MUX Inj is a bidirectional 6-port / 2 position valve allowing to perform microfluidic injection switches between two set-up configurations. One application is to perform a stable and unidirectional fluid recirculation or to inject a precisely controlled volume of drug. This application note focuses on the example and will walk you through the steps of a successful experiment.

The microfluidic injection loop consists of a network of inputs/outputs that can be connected to each other in two configurations. Its very low internal volume (Stator- 0.2 μL/hole, Rotor Seal- 1.3 μL/groove) makes it the ideal valve to perform the injection of a controlled volume of sample in a chip.

The Mux Inj has 6 inputs and two configurations shown on the image below. Each input is connected to a neighbor output, either on the right or the left depending of the configuration.

Configuration 1

Configuration 2

  • Cell culture on chip
  • Live cell imaging
  • Cell response to medium change
  • Drug screening
  • Toxicity tests
  • Stem cells assays

First step is the load phase for microfluidic injection:

The sample is injected into a sample loop and a buffer is injected into the chip. The internal volume of the sample loop corresponds to the volume of sample injected into the chip. This sample loop usually consists of a piece of tubing. To compute the internal volume of the tubing, one can use the following formula : V=Pi*r^2*L

With: r the internal tube’s // L the length of the tube

Second step is the microfluidic injection phase :

The valve switches to the second position and the buffer pushes the sample from the sample loop directly into the chip. Then, as long as this position is maintained, the buffer is injected into the chip and the sample is going directly to the waste.

If one wants to inject a given volume of drugs more than one time, these two steps can be repeated.

Warning: Make sure that the tubes are correctly inserted into the Mux Inj to prevent any leakage. The tube should reach the bottom of the connector in order to perform a waterproof connection following your microfluidic injection. After inserting the tubes, tight the spanner to ensure the sealing.

The Elveflow® smart interface allows to synchronize the OB1 pressure controller together with the Mux Inj in order to attain an accurate volume for your microfluidic injection. This software was conceived to run long-term experiments thanks to the powerful sequencer which can either deliver drugs at a predetermined time point, or deliver the drugs when a given volume of buffer has passed into the chips.

The combination of Mux Inj and OB1 pressure controller can be completed with a flow sensor for even more control on your set-up.

How to perform a switch with a Mux Distributor and to control the flow during these switches?

Pillarcell-microfluidic-system-for-stem-cell-differentiation-300x2377dq

How to perform cell culture on a chip ?

Pillarcell-microfluidic-system-for-stem-cell-differentiation-S

Want to run a similar experiment? Feel free to contact us at: contact@elveflow.com
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