Abstract

Translating Microfluidic Devices from the Academic Benchtop to the Point of Care via Extrusion-Based 3D Printing

Brandon Strong, Graduate Research Assistant, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

While there has been widespread research on microfluidic devices for a wide array of applications, including point-of-care diagnostics, there has been limited translation of these technologies to real-world settings. A significant reason is that current microfabrication techniques (i.e., soft lithography) typically require complex, labor-intensive processes, and necessitate the use of highly-trained personnel. The purpose of our investigation was to fabricate complex microfluidics structures via extrusion-based 3D printing with commercially-available materials ($15-100/kg) & equipment ($200 printer), thereby increasing accessibility to a wider range of researchers. Functional open-faced microfluidics channels less than 100 µm in width (200 µm depth) were readily reproduced, while channels as small as 15 µm in width were also fabricated. All channels were tested without the use of an external pump. Fully enclosed horizontal (200-500 µm) and vertical (500-1000 µm) channels were also fabricated. Hybrid devices contained both vertical and horizontal channels to create complex 3D fluidic arrays. Multi-layered electronic devices with multi-electrode microfluidic wells were created and allowed for simple electroanalysis. 3D printed electronic circuits were also used to thermally actuate paraffin valves in microfluidics channels, which allowed for increased fluid control. Applications in point-of-care diagnostics will be discussed.