Simulation of a microfluidic device employing dielectrophoresis for liquid biopsy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article details simulation based study of cell separation in a dielectrophoretic microfluidic device. The device consists of a narrow microchannel connected to a wide microchannel with several finite sized planar interdigitated transducer electrodes protruding into the narrow microchannel from one of its sidewalls. In the narrow microchannel, the circulating tumor cells are subjected to positive dielectrophoresis while the regular cells are subjected to negative dielectrophoresis to achieve separation and as all cells move in to the wide microchannel, the physical distance between the two types of cells increases thereby making their collection from the device easier. Equations describing motion, fluid field, electric field, and electric potential form the mathematical model and accounts for forces related to inertia, drag, and dielectrophoresis. Applied electric potential, electrode/gap length, and tumor cell diameter have a positive effect on the performance metrics while velocity of the medium and microchannel width have negative effect on the performance metrics. The model presented in this article is beneficial in realizing liquid biopsy with the desired performance metrics using the proposed microfluidic device.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)130-135
Number of pages6
JournalMedical Engineering and Physics
Volume81
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2020

Keywords

  • Circulating tumor cells
  • Dielectrophoresis
  • Liquid biopsy
  • Microfluidics
  • Simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Simulation of a microfluidic device employing dielectrophoresis for liquid biopsy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this