Development of a bio-inspired microfluidic valve

Distributed passive pumping is a difficult challenge in microfluidic systems but is a problem that has already been solved by nature, as is seen in venous and lymphatic valves. In this study, we demonstrate a functioning scaled prototype of a bio-inspired microfluidic channel and valve system capable of continuous passive flow of a viscous fluid due to the interplay between a flexible passive valve and an oscillating pressure gradient. A scaled version (~10x scale) of the planned microfluidic device is created by casting Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone in 3-D printed molds and plasma treating the parts to bond them together. We demonstrate basic pumping functionality of the valve in preparation of miniaturization of the system. This research can aid in pumping in a variety of microfluidic devices including wearable biosensors and can also give a simple and controllable platform for the study of thrombosis in physiological valves.