Microfluidic capture of rare cells via non-cylindrical microposts in an array

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] In recent decades, microsystems for the capture of rare cells have become exceedingly popular and important in the study of cellular mechanisms. These microsystems are quite varied in their approach for capturing cells and as such each has their own advantages and disadvantages. This thesis work explores an arrayed post strutcture that is coated in analyte specific markers in order to capture these rare cells. Cylindrical microposts have been vastly explored in the past decade. However, it is important to understand how the shape of the post can be modified and further explored. The use of non-cylindrical microposts allows for the manipulation of microfluidic flow and using the refined flow, we can force cells into contact with the posts. In order to explore the concept of non-cylindrical posts we have explored a variety of shapes that alter the flow of the device in different manners. Each shape is simulated in Comsol multiphysics, a finite element analysis software. The shapes' qualities are demonstrated using fluorescent microspheres as well as cancerous cell lines that have been diluted to desired concentrations that are clinically relevant. Our post designs show a marked improvement over standard cylindrical arrays in several key parameters including, capture rate, capture yield and low shear stresses.