A chip capable of micro-fluid cell injections
Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for biomedical technologies have successfully produced and tested a syringe chip with dimensions 2.2x2.2x1 mm3. The most important breakthrough is the fact that in this tiny volume a micro-needle, a micro-pump and all tubings have been integrated. The chip is capable of injecting tiny amounts of liquid in volumes of pico of a litre (pl). Such ability requires tiny hollow needles that researchers have been able to produce via a new and innovative plasma etching processes. Specifically the tip of the needle can have a diameter of even less than 2 micrometres if required and can be 25 micrometres in length. Furthermore the needle itself and the area around it can be made out of translucent materials so that the injection process can be observed. Dipping the chip into the liquid to be injected fills it up, and then it is capable of several hundreds of injections. An integrated sensor controls the thermo pneumatic micro pump so that equal volumes of the liquid are each time injected. The micro chip has already been thoroughly tested successfully for injecting cells while in collaboration with a micro manipulator. Since they are made out of silicon, the chips can be produced in large quantities and have a lower cost compared to other cell injection equipment used. The chip's invention brings us closer to achieving automated cell injections. The Fraunhofer - IBMT has applied for patents and is currently seeking a partner interested in developing an automated cell manipulation platform. Moreover through collaboration contrasts the institute offers its expertise on the development of miniaturised systems.
