Advances in three-dimensional rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices for biological applications

Abstract

The capability of 3D printing technologies for direct production of complex 3D structures in a single step has recently attracted an ever increasing interest within the field of microfluidics. Recently, ultrafast lasers have also allowed developing new methods for production of internal microfluidic channels within the bulk of glass and polymer materials by direct internal 3D laser writing. This review critically summarizes the latest advances in the production of microfluidic 3D structures by using 3D printing technologies and direct internal 3D laser writing fabrication methods. Current applications of these rapid prototyped microfluidic platforms in biology will be also discussed. These include imaging of cells and living organisms, electrochemical detection of viruses and neurotransmitters, and studies in drug transport and induced-release of adenosine triphosphate from erythrocytes.

FIG. 1.

(a) Schematic of a SL bath configuration with direct laser writing and (b) a SL layer configuration with DMD-based writing. Reprinted with permission from Gross et al., Anal. Chem. 86(7), 3240 (2014). Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society.

FIG. 2.

Optically transparent microfluidic mixer chip integrating 10–32 threads. Reprinted with permission from Shallan et al., Anal. Chem. 86(6), 3124 (2014). Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society.

FIG. 3.

Microfluidic chip integrating membrane inserts. Reprinted with permission from Anderson et al., Anal. Chem. 85(12), 5622 (2013). Copyright 2013 American Chemical Society.

FIG. 4.

Microfluidic chip for electrochemical detection: (a) and (b) schematics of the chip showing the threaded ports; (c) picture showing alignment of both working and pseudo-reference electrodes with the channel; (d) picture showing the chip connected to the syringe pump. Reprinted with permission from Erkal et al., Lab Chip 14(12), 2023 (2014). Copyright 2014 Royal Society of Chemistry.

FIG. 5.

Investigation of the attractant inducing Phormidium gliding within the microfluidic channels. Adapted with permission from Hanada et al., Lab Chip 11(12), 2109 (2011). Copyright 2011 Royal Society of Chemistry.