Design of a microfluidic device for the phase-contrast tomography of flowing cells

Massimiliano M. Villone, Erica Santonastaso, Pasquale Memmolo, Gianluca Trotta, Francesco Merola, Pier Luca Maffettone, Pietro Ferraro

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The detection of CTCs in a blood sample is a challenging task due to their rarity and variety. We develop a new label-free and all-optical approach at the lab-on-chip scale for the detection of CTCs based on morphological biomarkers. In particular, we design a microfluidic device to be combined with a phase-contrast tomography system to carry out quantitative measurements of the three-dimensional structure of each single cell in a blood sample. In such device, two aspects are conjugated: on the one hand, the cells need to perform at least one complete rotation within the field of view of the imaging apparatus; on the other hand, the highest possible throughput has to be achieved, yet without deforming the cells significantly, which would impede their tomographic reconstruction. In this contribution, the finite-element-simulation-based preliminary design of a microfluidic device that would allow the achievement of the aforementioned objectives for cells with different shape and deformability is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Methods for Inspection, Characterization, and Imaging of Biomaterials V
EditorsPietro Ferraro, Simonetta Grilli, Monika Ritsch-Marte, Christoph K. Hitzenberger
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510644069
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventOptical Methods for Inspection, Characterization, and Imaging of Biomaterials V 2021 - Virtual, Online, Germany
Duration: Jun 21 2021Jun 25 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11786
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceOptical Methods for Inspection, Characterization, and Imaging of Biomaterials V 2021
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtual, Online
Period6/21/216/25/21

Keywords

  • Liquid biopsy
  • Microfluidics
  • Tomographic phase microscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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