Microfabrication and test of a three-dimensional polymer hydro-focusing unit for flow cytometry applications

This paper details a novel true three-dimensional (3D) hydro-focusing microcell sorter for micro-flow cytometry applications. The unit was microfabricated by means of SU-83D lithography. The 3D microstructure for coaxial sheathing was designed, microfabricated, and tested. Three-dimensional hydro-focusing capability was demonstrated with an experiment to sort labeled tanned sheep erythrocytes (red blood cells). This polymer hydro-focusing microstructure is easily microfabraicted and integrated with other polymer microfluidic structures.