Advantages of pressure-based microfluidics

Droplet generation using syringe pumps and pressure-based flow controllers

Droplet production using microfluidic systems was implemented for applications where monodispersity is of high importance. Syringe pumps are commonly used for generating droplets in microfluidic experiments, but can show limited flow control.. An alternative to syringe pumps are pressure-based flow controllers.

Extended capabilities of pressure driven flow for microfluidics applications

Microfluidic experiment often require a high level of control of fluids to permits reproducible results and the success of different application. To this purpose Pressure based flow controller are well suited for a various number of microlfuidic application when high stability is required such as cell perfusion and shear stress control or in droplet production when monodispersity is of high importance.

It also allows to generate complex flow profil such as sequential injection with aortic profil or when real time flow rate measurement is needed, a parameter that other fluid handling system can't offer.

Advantages of pressure-based microfluidics

Microfluidic instrument responsiveness

In microfluidics, response time is the duration between a command and the the start of flow (the first reaction of the microfluidic pump). When using a pressure controller, flow will start once a sufficient pressure rise occurs in the fluidic reservoir. The electrical and mechanical response times of the hardware components such as valves need to be as low as possible in order to decrease the response time.

Advantages of pressure-based microfluidics

Microfluidic Instrument Stability

In microfluidic instrumentation, stability refers to the ability of an instrument to maintain a certain physical property at a constant value, while rejecting any perturbations in the environment. It is a very important parameter, as even small variations in physical quantities during microfluidic experiments can dramatically change the results. A stable instrument ensures that results are repeatable and reproducible.