| Microfluidic devices provide a controlled platform for the manipulation and control of volumetric amounts of fluid. Primary applications of microfluidic devices include single-cell based analysis and nanoliter scale measurement of biological materials and living organisms. One method of separation of these biological components in such applications is based on size. By breaking a heterogeneous sample into several homogenous components, each individual component can be independently analyzed and/or manipulated.;Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is an emerging technique for separating particles based on size in a microfluidic environment. This technique shows great promise as a means to continuously separate particles smaller than the feature size of a microfluidic array. As can be appreciated, particles ideally travel one of two types of path within a microfabricated array of posts depending on their size. Thus, the microfluidic device employing the DLD technique functions like a continuously operable filter, separating large from small particles, or providing particle size measurement.;As a focus of this study, the separation of blood into its primary components is shown. White blood cell isolation with 100% accuracy and separation of red blood cells and platelets from blood plasma is demonstrated through the use of the DLD. Herein is included the use of traditional blood techniques, such as the flow cytometry, to confirm these results. The DLD techniques are explored and discussed, not only for blood, but for other types of particle separations through the development, analysis and testing for four different designs. |
