Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Flow to outlet
Flow from inlet
Block
φ
h
2
Cell
h
1
Glass slide
Observation
direction
Objective lens
(a)
(b)
(c)
0 s
10 s
(d)
(e)
50 µm
10 µm
20 s
40 s
FIGURE 5.57
A.microluidic.device.for.measuring.cell.osmotic.properties..(From.Hsiu-hung.Chen,.
Jester.J..P..Purtteman,.Shelly.Heimfeld,.Albert.Folch,.and.Dayong.Gao,.“Development.of.a.micro-
luidic. device. for. determination. of. cell. osmotic. behavior. and. membrane. transport. properties,”.
Cryobiology
.55,.200-209,.2007..Reprinted.with.permission.from.Elsevier..Figure.contributed.by.
Hsiu-hung.Chen.)
5.10 Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Assisted reproductive technologies, including cryopreservation, cloning, nonsurgical embryo
transfer, and the in vitro production of mammalian embryos, have become increasingly impor-
tant in the last 15 years both to treat human infertility and to genetically improve livestock.
he eiciency of these technologies, however, is still very low. his low eiciency is partially
attributed to in vivo mammalian embryos residing in submicroliter amounts of luid (within the
crypts in the lumen of the female reproductive tract) whereas in vitro the embryos are bathed
in large volumes of cell culture medium. Microluidics ofer opportunities for (a) mimicking
in vivo microenvironments (i.e., topographical/biochemical mimics to which cells adhere, as
well as minimization of dead volumes that mimic physiological cavities and mass transport),
(b) straightforward integration of luid-dispensing automation through microactuators (e.g.,
microvalves and micropumps), (c) inexpensive integration of sensors (e.g., pH, temperature) for
real-time quality control (which reduces environmental stress and, in turn, increases eiciency),
and (d) high-throughput testing (fabricating/operating 100 channels in parallel costs almost the
same as fabricating/operating only one).
