Microfluidic-based automated lab-on-a-chip cell manipulation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Microfluidic-based automated lab-on-a-chip cell manipulation
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mozafar Saadat (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Arran Hughes (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509590/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 2007132 | Studentship | EP/N509590/1 | 01/10/2017 | 24/03/2021 | Arran Hughes |
| Description | A novel technique has been developed for the manufacture of 3D microfluidic devices utilising a femstosecond laser for the ablation of a steel mould. Additionally, this technique has been used to successfully manipulate an oocyte to maximise the chance of successful injection for the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) technique. A device has been designed that allows for the isolation of a singular sperm from a batch for ICSI utilising current modelling techniques along with experimental validation given for parts of the model. Further to this, the entire system is being designed to validate and fully automate the isolation process utilising microfluidics. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes can be used by embryologists to assist with the entire ICSI process to help provide more consistent and higher success rate procedures for consumers across all clinics. |
| Sectors | Electronics,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Title | MICROFLUIDICS SYSTEM FOR SINGLE SPERM ISOLATION |
| Description | The disclosure relates to methods and systems for isolating individual sperm from a semen sample using microfluidics. Example embodiments include a microfluidics system (1500) for isolating individual sperm from a semen sample, the system comprising: a first laminar flow channel (1501) extending between a first inlet (1503) and a first outlet (1505); a second laminar flow channel (1502) extending between a second inlet (1504) and a second outlet (1506); and a third laminar flow channel (1507a) extending between the first and second laminar flow channels (1501, 1502) and having a restriction (1508a) configured to prevent passage of a single sperm through the third laminar flow channel (1507a), wherein flow of a semen sample through the first laminar flow channel (1501) at a pressure higher than flow of a liquid medium through the second laminar flow channel (1502) results in a single sperm being trapped by the restriction (1508a) in the third laminar flow channel (1507a). |
| IP Reference | WO2019211596 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | A joint venture has begun with St. Mary's Hospital Manchester to allow the device to be brought up in technology level such that it can be used within clinical trials. |