A dielectrophoresis based microdevice for separation of cancer cells from blood cells

Abdulla Al Ali, Waqas Waheed, Falah Alhammadi, Eiyad Abu-Nada, Anas Alazzam

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We propose a simple dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic platform to perform continuous-flow separation of cancer cells from the blood cells. The platform comprises a microchannel and two sets of interdigitated electrodes on opposite side-walls to create non-uniform electric field. A rectangular insulator island is inserted in the middle of the separation region that directs the cells to a region of higher dielectrophoretic force closer to the electrodes without the need of a sheath flow. A diluted blood sample spiked with MDA-MB-231 cancer cells is injected in the microdevice. The frequency is tuned in such a way that the cancer cells experience a positive dielectrophoretic force and are attracted towards the electrodes while the blood cells are repelled away from the electrodes under the influence of a negative dielectrophoretic force. A Finite Element Analysis of the microdevice is performed to demonstrate successful operation of the device followed by a parametric study in which the inlet flow rate, middle island width, and the actuation voltage, are varied. The effect of each parameter on the purity of the collected sample and the efficiency of the operation is noted. Both the numerical and experimental results are presented in the present paper.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538656198
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2019
Event2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019 - Penang, Malaysia
Duration: 24 Jul 201925 Jul 2019

Publication series

Name2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019
Country/TerritoryMalaysia
CityPenang
Period24/07/1925/07/19

Keywords

  • Dielectrophoresis
  • Finite element analysis
  • Microchannel
  • Separation

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