Microfluidic valve with cored glass microneedle for microinjection

Lab Chip. 2003 Aug;3(3):164-7. doi: 10.1039/b305692a. Epub 2003 Jul 24.

Abstract

In this paper, a new microinjection device was constructed by fusing a glass microneedle and a PDMS-based microvalve. The microneedle was fabricated via traditional micropipette pulling. The PDMS-based microvalve regulates the fluid flow in the microchannel and microneedle. The 'ON/OFF' operation of the valve was controlled by manually supplied pneumatic pressure. The valve membrane utilized a two level geometry to improve control at low flow rates. The relation between pressure and flow was measured and the results showed that very small volumes of fluid (>1 nl) could be controlled. The valve operation was investigated by monitoring the tip of the needle and pneumatic pressure simultaneously and it demonstrated very stable 'ON/OFF' operation to the pressure change.

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Equipment Design
  • Glass / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation*
  • Microinjections / instrumentation*
  • Pressure

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Membranes, Artificial