Microfluidic flow chamber for cell analysis

Many microbiological and medical investigations, based on micro organism or mammalian cells, are performed in standard laboratory devices like Petri Dishes or cultivation flasks. They have proven their performances throughout many decades and are still a golden standard in biology and medicine. However they lack the opportunity to study the organisms under dynamic conditions (e.g. flow or changing concentrations of potential drug candidates). It has furthermore been shown that many cells like endothelial cells need to be physically stimulated (shear stress) in order to express certain critical receptors.

The Technological Institute has developed a microfluidic flow chamber with the opportunity to place a microscope objective close to the flow channel.

Figure 1a: Schematic View of the System

Figure 1b: Side view of the system. A thin cover glass, attached with a double sided adhesive slide, allows a close working distance.

The systems allow magnifications up to 100 times and are equipped with standard PTFE 1/16” tubes for interfacing with standard pumps like piston pumps or peristaltic pumps.

Low working distance is required in order to perform high resolution microscopy. Using this system it is possible to zoom very close into the chamber in which microbiological processes are taking place

The systems are fabricated with help of a double sided adhesive tape (ca. 140 µm thick) in which the flow channel is machined by using a CO₂ laser system. The user can chose if specially prepared glass slides are used or if preinstalled glass slides are mounted at the Technological Institut. The system is disposable.