High-throughput separation of cancer cells by a spiral microchannel with sharp curves

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of medical science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. Iran

3 Department of mechanical engineering, Monash University, Melbourne

Abstract

In recent years, cell focusing using microfluidic systems has been highlighted as an efficient method of counting and enriching circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In order to isolate cancer cells with high throughput and efficiency, using of passive, size-based, label free method based on hydrodynamic forces is preferred. This study showed that it was possible to isolate BCCs (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and white blood cells (WBCs) from cell mixtures with high efficiency and high throughput using an unconventional spiral microchannel by means of combination of long loops and U turn with high curvature ratio at moderate Reynolds number (Re) about 90. Therefor we have designed an unconventional low-cost label free spiral microfluidic device for isolating both CTCs and lysed WBCs at a flow rate about 1.7 mL/min with high efficiency and Purity (more than 90%). Standard particles with a diameter in range of 2-20 μm (The range of all cells in the bloodstream) were initially used as alternative particles to optimize the design of microchannel and flow rate by imitating cell behavior. At the optimal flow rate, up to 92% of CTCs were separated from culture with high purification.

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