Smart Biosystems IVF Lab-6
In this example the Centre for Microtechnology and Surface Analysis has assisted a young startup company in the field of in vitro fertilization techniques to develop a micro bioreactor system capable of cultivating up to twelve embryos in one single device. The system integrates the microfluidic networks connected to culture wells for the embryos and reservoirs for the storage of the media. No difficult alignment and interconnection steps are needed using the system. The system simulates a biomimetic environment; it continuously provides fresh media to the embryos removing the waste products; it allows continuous pH and temperature monitoring and it can acquire medium samples for further analysis.
Smart Biosystems Prototype
The development work included aside of the CFD assisted design of the microfluidic chips the prototyping of the fluidic systems with help of laser ablation and laser welding. It furthermore included the development of the hardware, which integrates a syringe pump, allowing liquid handling; an electrochemical sensor for monitoring the pH; heating elements and sensors for controlling the temperature. It is connected to a CO2 gas mixture supply for maintaining the pH at the proper value. The hardware allows mounting six microbioreactors for multiplexed culturing.
Smart Biosystems Prototype
The micro bioreactor consists of two injection molded polystyrene layers. The top layer integrates the reservoirs and the microfluidic network, while the bottom layer forms the incubation chambers. The two layers are bonded by laser welding.
Other detailed case studies are presented in the following examples:
Links
- Microfluidic flow chamber for cell analysis
- Microfludic flow chamber for cell separation and cultivation
- Microfludic particularities
- Fast prototyping of microfluidic systems
A comprehensive overview about the characteristics of the used lasers are given in the following presentation:
