Projeto, fabricação e ensaio de dispositivo microfluídico para separação de células sanguíneas baseado no efeito Zweifach-Fung

Abstract

The separation and classification of blood cells are used in a comprehensive way within medicine: diagnosis, therapy and cell biology. Blood, being an easily accessible and information-rich tissue, is the most widely used material. However, it is mixing is complex, and their separation is necessary for a more accurate analysis. There are several conventional techniques for cell separation, however these techniques are often laborious and require several steps and labeling to identify cells and patients. In this context, the present work aims to present and contribute to a low-cost manufacture of cell microsseparation based on the bifurcation law (or Zweifach-Fung Effect). The molds of the devices were manufactured in acrylic without the necessity of a clean-room and the microsseparations were molded in two different polymers: Urethane-Acriltato (UA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Simulations were carried out in the characterization of the microsecarator: angles between the bifurcations, mean velocities of entry and quantity of particles present in the flow. Verifying the computational model adopted with experimental results with speed profile acquired through micro-PIV, mass balance and real cases using human and animal blood. Comparing the results presented by the literature, theoretical and experimental studies, it was verified that the separation efficiency has close values and thus the methods adopted in the present study were pertinent.