Design and Development of Microfluidic Lab-On-Chip Bioimpedance Analyzer

Abstract

Impedance analysis for biological samples has proved to be one of the most powerful non-invasive techniques developed so far, for understanding the electrophysiological properties of the tissues. Presently all the impedance analyzer systems that are available in the market are large and expensive. There is a need of small, portable, low-cost system which can be used commercially. In this context, an attempt has been made to design and develop a Lab-On-Chip Bioimpedance Analyzer System. For this purpose, the portable microfluidic platform for impedance analysis was prepared on cupper print laminated board by chemical etching. The device was successfully operated and had a sensitivity output value in terms of frequency ranging from 50 Hz to 10 KHz. The impedance analysis was done for various samples such as PBS, NaCl solution, cell culture medium(DMEM) and bacterial cell culture. However, all the samples were shown a capacitive response. Optimization of the platform was done on the basis of the electrode spacing, diameter and flow rate so as to bring accuracy in impedance analysis measurement. The device was designed in such a way so that the analysis can be made even at a reduced sample volume, moreover portability of the device makes it stand out among commercially available systems in the market