Bubbles no more: in-plane trapping and removal of bubbles in microfluidic devices.

Gas bubbles present a frequent challenge to the on-chip investigation and culture of biological cells and small organs. The presence of a single bubble can adversely impair biological function and often viability as it increases the wall shear stress in a liquid-perfused microchannel by at least one order of magnitude. We present a microfluidic strategy for in-plane trapping and removal of gas bubbles with volumes of 0.

A microfluidic platform for probing small artery structure and function.

Although pathologic changes to the structure and function of small blood vessels are hallmarks of various cardiovascular diseases, limitations of conventional investigation methods (i.e. pressure myography) have prohibited a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms.