A Rapid Prototyping and Mass-Production Platform of Microfluidic Devices

摘要

Microfabricated devices have become an integral part of a variety of analytical, medical, and detection systems. As the applications of microfabrication are growing widely, a low-cost, rapid prototyping and mass-production platform has become essential. To serve this end, Optotrack, Inc. has developed a process of precision embossing, bonding, and surface modification to manufacture microfluidic chips, disposable biosensors, and micro-optical devices based on plastic materials. Multiple devices of the same or different designs are hot-embossed in a 4-inch or 6-inch plastic wafer. The wafer is then treated, bonded, diced, and inserted with interconnects. Discrete devices are tested for their quality prior to the integration with read-out schemes. It is estimated that from conception to mass production, this platform takes 50% less time and cost than its competing technologies. Microfluidic devices made from the present platform have been incorporated into automatic analyzers for drug discovery and bio-separation.