A Simple Micromilled Microfluidic Impedance Cytometer with Vertical Parallel Electrodes for Cell Viability Analysis.

Microfluidic impedance cytometry has been demonstrated as an effective platform for single cell analysis, taking advantage of microfabricated features and dielectric cell sensing methods. In this study, we present a simple microfluidic device to improve the sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput of single suspension cell viability analysis using vertical sidewall electrodes fabricated by a widely accessible negative manufacturing method. A microchannel milled through a 75 µm platinum wire, which was embedded into poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA), created a pair of parallel vertical sidewall platinum electrodes.

Development of a Single-Piece Sperm Counting Chamber (SSCC) for Aquatic Species.

Accurate determination of sperm concentration in aquatic species is important for assisted reproduction and cryopreservation, yet is challenging as current counting methods are costly or not suitable for many species. The goal of this work was to develop a simple (single-piece and single-layer photolithography) sperm counting chamber (SSCC) for aquatic species. Goldfish ( and zebrafish () sperm were used for evaluation in the device, which was created with soft lithography.

Low-Cost Resin 3-D Printing for Rapid Prototyping of Microdevices: Opportunities for Supporting Aquatic Germplasm Repositories.

Germplasm repositories can benefit sustainable aquaculture by supporting genetic improvement, assisted reproduction, and management of valuable genetic resources. Lack of reliable quality management tools has impeded repository development in the past several decades. Microfabricated open-hardware devices have emerged as a new approach to assist repository development by providing standardized quality assessment capabilities to enable routine quality control.

An Open-Hardware Insemination Device for Small-Bodied Live-Bearing Fishes to Support Development and Use of Germplasm Repositories.

Small-bodied live-bearing fishes attract broad attention because of their importance in biomedical research and critical conservation status in natural habitats. Artificial insemination is an essential process to establish hybrid lines and for the operation of sperm repositories. The existing mouth-pipetting technique for artificial insemination of live-bearing fishes has not been substantially upgraded since the first implementation in the 1950s.

Development of an open hardware 3-D printed conveyor device for continuous cryopreservation of non-batched samples.

A great challenge among communities participating in germplasm repository development is to obtain suitable cryopreservation equipment and devices. Commercial programmable freezers are costly and thus unaffordable to many users. Self-made devices have substantial variability among users, resulting in few opportunities for standardization across communities.

A 3D Printed Vitrification Device for Storage in Cryopreservation Vials.

Sperm cryopreservation by vitrification is a promising approach for small-bodied animals such as zebrafish (). However, most vitrification tools adopted in aquatic research were initially designed for applications other than sperm (such as human embryo freezing) and, thus, pose challenges for adoption to sperm vitrification. Three-dimensional (3D) printing combined with open hardware sharing is an emerging strategy to address challenges in the development of cryopreservation tools.

Microfabrication of low-cost customisable counting chambers for standardised estimation of sperm concentration.

Evaluation of sperm concentration is essential for research and procedures involving AI, cryopreservation and sperm quality assessment. Microfabrication technologies have shown tremendous potential for rapid prototyping and fabrication of devices to assist reproduction and fertility research, but such utility has not yet been made available for most reproduction laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using microfabrication techniques to produce counting chambers for estimation of sperm concentration.

Biomechanical characteristics of an implant used to secure semitendinosus-gracilis tendon grafts in a canine model of extra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective: To compare initial femoral fixation properties of a new implant, Graftgrab (GG), with 2 established methods of extra-articular femoral graft fixation, spiked washers (SW) and bone staples (ST).

Study Design: Experimental in vitro cohort study.

Methods: Canine semitendinosus-gracilis tendon grafts were passed through bone tunnels and fixed to the lateral surface of femoral condyles with spiked washers, bone staples, or new implant prototypes.