A pumpless microfluidic device driven by surface tension for pancreatic islet analysis

Biomed Microdevices. 2016 Oct;18(5):80. doi: 10.1007/s10544-016-0109-4.

Abstract

We present a novel pumpless microfluidic array driven by surface tension for studying the physiology of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Efficient fluid flow in the array is achieved by surface tension-generated pressure as a result of inlet and outlet size differences. Flow properties are characterized in numerical simulation and further confirmed by experimental measurements. Using this device, we perform a set of biological assays, which include real-time fluorescent imaging and insulin secretion kinetics for both mouse and human islets. Our results demonstrate that this system not only drastically simplifies previously published experimental protocols for islet study by eliminating the need for external pumps/tubing and reducing the volume of solution consumption, but it also achieves a higher analytical spatiotemporal resolution due to efficient flow exchanges and the extremely small volume of solutions required. Overall, the microfluidic platform presented can be used as a potential powerful tool for understanding islet physiology, antidiabetic drug development, and islet transplantation.

Keywords: Calcium; Insulin secretion; Islet of Langerhans; Islet physiology; Microfluidic; Pumpless; Surface tension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology*
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Mice
  • Optical Imaging
  • Shear Strength
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Tension

Substances

  • Insulin