Model of a Microfluidic Thermal Cycler Activated by Means of Electro-Osmotic Micro-Pumps

E. Bianchi[1][2], M.F. Bello[1], I. Critelli[1], G. Dubini[1]
[1]Politecnico di Milano, LaBS, Laboratory of Biological Structure Mechanics, Milano, Italy
[2]Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Laboratory of Life Sciences Electronics - Swiss Up Chair, Lausanne, Switzerland
发布日期 2012

A microfluidic thermal cycler for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been modeled. A microliter sample is driven along the microchannel by a flow generated by means of electroosmotic micropumps, activated in sequence. Several multichannel pumps configurations have been separately modeled and the efficiency of each device has been evaluated with regard to the effective flowrate and the back flowrate. Results from these simulations have been then used to define the boundaries for the model of the entire device.