Femtosecond laser fabricated integrated chip for manipulation of single cells

Optical micromanipulation techniques and microfluidic techniques can be used in same platform for manipulating biological samples at single cell level. Novel microfluidic devices with integrated channels and waveguides fabricated using ultrafast laser inscription combined with selective chemical etching can be used to enable sorting and isolation of biological cells. In this paper we report the design and fabrication of a three dimensional chip that can be used to manipulate single cells in principle with a higher throughput than is possible using optical tweezers. The capability of ultrafast laser inscription followed by selective chemical etching to fabricate microstructures and waveguides have been utilised to fabricate the device presented in this paper. The complex three dimensional microfluidic structures within the device allow the injected cell population to focus in a hydrodynamic flow. A 1064 nm cw laser source, coupled to the integrated waveguide, is used to exert radiation pressure on the cells to be manipulated. As the cells in the focussed stream flow past the waveguide, optical scattering force induced by the laser beam pushes the cell from out of the focussed stream to the sheath fluid, which can be then collected at the outlet. Thus cells can be controllably deflected from the focussed flow to the side channel for downstream analysis or culture.