Shear-Stable Microfluidic Channels for Label-Free Separation of Circulating Tumor Cells

Abstract

The paper introduces a staircase-herringbone channel geometry designed through CFD iterations and fabricated with two-stage soft lithography. Across six donor-matched blood samples, the geometry improved recovery of model tumor cells by 17% over a straight-channel control while maintaining viability above 92%. The authors discuss practical limits around throughput scaling and propose a modular cartridge framework for classroom-compatible translational prototyping.

Figure 2 visualizes laminar flow profiles generated from simulation and validated using particle-image velocimetry in the fabricated prototype.