Three dimensional (3D) printing is not necessarily a new technology, but many users are now beginning to realize its potential, for both home and laboratory use. Recently, our laboratory has been using 3D printing technologies for fluidic devices. One of the main advantages seen in our laboratory is the rapid production of prototypes which, on one hand are more rugged and re-usable than soft photolithographic methods, while on the other hand are easier in comparison to using high resolution masks and etching. In short, prototypes made with 3D printers more closely resemble a final device, as opposed to a prototype. In this presentation, we will discuss some of our early 3D-printed devices. In particular, results will be shown from one of our devices currently being used as an in vitro platform for generating low volume, parallel pharmacokinetic profiles to be used in the early stages of the drug discovery process. This device enables simplistic connections to external pumps through standard fingertight fittings (due to the ability of the 3D printer to print actual threads into the device). Moreover, we have also been able to incorporate microwell inserts used in high throughput cell culture applications. By printing cavities in the device that accept these inserts, we have been able to construct 'modular' devices that enable pharmacokinetic profiling on cultured cells in a parallel manner. These results and other prospects for the role of 3D printers in microfludics will be discussed.

3D Printing of fluidic devices

246th National Meeting (2013)

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