Title: Generation of rotational flow for formation of spheroids by using microfluidic and dielectrophoretic hybrid device

Authors: Masaru Kojima; Mitsuhiro Horade; Hirochika Takai; Kenichi Ohara; Tamio Tanikawa; Kazuto Kamiyama; Yasushi Mae; Tatsuo Arai

Addresses: Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan ' Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan ' Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tenpaku, Nagoya, Aichi 468-8502, Japan ' Department of Information Technology and Human Factors, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 1, 1-1-1, Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan ' Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan ' Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan ' Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, Japan

Abstract: Toroidal-like sheroids are important in the field of tissue engineering. However, the formation processes of toroidal-like spheroids may not be considered efficient, as most of them are manual. In this paper, we suggest the possibility and effectiveness of applying microfluidics for formation of toroidal-like spheroids. The concept of our method is that cells are compressed by rotational flow in a microchannel and dielectrophoretic force. Some types of microchannels that can generate rotational flow were designed and were analysed with flow analysis software. A superior microchannel was fabricated, and a flow of NIH3T3 cell suspension was supplied to the channel. As the flow rate was changed, the cells were rotated in the microchannel according to our concept, and approximately 30% of them remained in the channel. This result supports our concept: toroidal-like spheroids can be formed under the influence of forces of rotational flow and dielectrophoresis.

Keywords: microfluidics; microelectromechanical systems; MEMS; spheroid; dielectrophoresis; DEP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMA.2016.084219

International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation, 2016 Vol.5 No.4, pp.180 - 189

Received: 30 Nov 2015
Accepted: 12 Mar 2016
Published online: 21 May 2017 *

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