Three dimensional microfluidics with embedded microball lenses for parallel and high throughput multicolor fluorescence detection

Y J Fan; Y C Wu; Y Chen; Y C Kung; T H Wu; K W Huang; H J Sheen; P Y Chiou

doi:10.1063/1.4818944

Three dimensional microfluidics with embedded microball lenses for parallel and high throughput multicolor fluorescence detection

Biomicrofluidics. 2013 Aug 21;7(4):44121. doi: 10.1063/1.4818944. eCollection 2013.

Authors

Y J Fan¹, Y C Wu², Y Chen², Y C Kung², T H Wu³, K W Huang², H J Sheen⁴, P Y Chiou⁵

Affiliations

¹ Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA ; Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
² Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
³ Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA ; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
⁴ Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
⁵ Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA ; Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.

Abstract

We report a 3D microfluidic device with 32 detection channels and 64 sheath flow channels and embedded microball lens array for high throughput multicolor fluorescence detection. A throughput of 358 400 cells/s has been accomplished. This device is realized by utilizing solid immersion micro ball lens arrays for high sensitivity and parallel fluorescence detection. High refractive index micro ball lenses (n = 2.1) are embedded underneath PDMS channels close to cell detection zones in channels. This design permits patterning high N.A. micro ball lenses in a compact fashion for parallel fluorescence detection on a small footprint device. This device also utilizes 3D microfluidic fabrication to address fluid routing issues in two-dimensional parallel sheath focusing and allows simultaneous pumping of 32 sample channels and 64 sheath flow channels with only two inlets.