Microfluidic Solutions
Novel microfluidic device features for precise on-chip fluid handling, reactions, detection, and post-process treatments.
Innovative Microfluidics Solutions To Maximize Performance
For more than a decade, Enplas has leveraged its accumulated experience and proprietary knowledge databases to deliver innovative microfluidics solutions to improve devices. Whether they’re functional enhancements or manufacturing solutions, we help you achieve your microfluidic device’s performance goals.
A Case Study
A client is developing a microfluidic device to conduct NGS, including library prep. A conventional pipetting machine would add size and complexity to instrument operation, so the client hopes to find an alternative solution to automate the library prep process. Enplas’s solution is to combine an on-chip valve and pump system with a customized microfluidic chip that contains accurately sized reservoirs and channels to meter, mix, purify, and amplify nucleic acids and reagents.
Microfluidic Solutions
Enplas provides solutions that enhance the performance of plastic microfluidic chips at all stages of the diagnostic process.
Microfluidic Solutions For Better Fluid Flow Control
A Small Footprint, On-Chip Valve And Pump System To Control Complex Fluid Motions: Embedding the valve and pump function onto the chip membrane and pairing it with a simple push-control device can minimize the size, complexity, and cost of instrument needed to move, mix, meter, or control other fluid operations. Enplas’s proprietary Rotary Membrane Valve and Pump (RMVP) automates control of more than 20 fluids without contamination. Learn More
Surface Treatments And Chip Features To Facilitate Or Stop Fluid Flow: On-chip chemicals to facilitate smooth flow on plastic chips causing contamination? Looking for a simple mechanism to stop fluid without adding instrumentation? Enplas offers two non-chemical methods to facilitate or stop liquid flow on your microfluidic device: hydrophilic treatment and stop valves. Learn More
Channel Shape Improvements To Improve Flow: Are liquids not flowing as simulated when transferring to a plastic microfluidic design? Looking for the right chip dimension and parameters to achieve a specific droplet generation and flow speed? Enplas can help design and propose optimal channel geometries based on real, proprietary data to achieve your desired specifications. Learn More
Microfluidic Solutions That Create Secure Reaction Sites On-Chip
Improved Cell Sorting Sensitivity With Printed Electrodes: Using electrodes for cell sorting and other applications? Embedding electrodes directly into your device can improve its efficiency, stability, and performance. Enplas offers printing and pasting methods for embedding electrodes in your device. Learn More
Realizing Complex Fluidic Channels On Plastic Chips: Does your device require a complex or very detailed channel design? With Enplas’s high-precision machining and molding techniques, you can benefit from complex channels with dense nanowell structures, high aspect ratios, mirrored bottom and side walls, and more. Learn More
Microfluidic Solutions To Realize Accurate Detection
Bonding Different Materials with Consistency for Accurate Reading: Need a way to consistently bond multiple components, such as a plastic chip and a CMOS for accurate sample reading? Does the method need to be particle-free, biocompatible, or non-self-adhesive? Enplas’s thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) bonding for microfluidic chips delivers clean, biocompatible adhesion to any substrate material you choose. Learn More
Pillarless lamination for consistent detection in large chip chambers: Have you added pillars in your fluidic design to prevent films from sagging, resulting in limited fluidic volume available in detection chambers or causing formation of bubbles? Enplas’s lamination method removes pillars AND solves your concerns over inconsistent detection due to deflating films. Learn More
Minimize Autofluorescence: Does your device’s autofluorescence affect data extraction? Enplas can help evaluate and minimize noise to levels comparable to those using glass. Learn More
Microfluidic Solutions For Efficient Post-Process Treatments
Accurate Cell Dispensing With A Micron-Sized Outlet: Transferring sorted cells to a device using pipettes and nozzles? Why not directly dispense with the device instead? Enplas can add micron-sized outlets (“side open channel”) to the perimeter of your device to accurately dispense sorted cells. Fluids remain in the chip after dispensing, enabling small discharge of liquids without dripping. Learn More
Quality Assurance and Mass Production
Enplas provides consistent, top-quality parts at high volume production. We will even build a production line to meet your needs with:
ISO class 6 clean room injection molding | Automated assembly, measurement, and inspection | 100% channel depth and particle inspections | High-volume production
Advantages:
- Automatic particle inspection (< 30um) on all surfaces for every chip
- Automatic channel depth inspection (within +/-1um) for all laminated chips.
- Production of up to a million chips annually with inspections of each chip—increasable depending on your needs.
Read more about how Enplas’s process validation and quality assurance practices benefit your product manufacturing goals.
