Abstract: A microfluidic device for focusing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from whole blood without a sheath buffer includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a single flow channel having a plurality of square comers, and the second section includes at least one flow channel having a plurality of curves positioned in a serpentine arrangement. A method of using the device including pumping a whole blood sample through the microfluidic device at a flow rate of approximately 2.4 mL/min to separate CTC enriched blood from waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood. The apparatus includes a wearable device that receives fluid from vasculature of a subject through an input channel. A pump is coupled to the input channel the pump configured to receive blood at a first flow rate and to convert the flow of the blood to a second flow rate. The device further includes a replaceable candidate cell capture module having a microfluidic capture stage with herringbone channel structures configured to capture the candidate cells by antibodies. The device is further configured to provide the blood back to the vasculature of the subject.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump-based apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood is provided that includes a feedback control architecture that uses models of pump operation and measures of internal pressure fluctuations of the pump (e.g., in the form time-varying and/or position-dependent pressure oscillation data) to adjust pump operating characteristics that smooth pump operation, thereby improving viscosity and consistency of fluid flowing through the pump to a connected microfluidic capture device.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood. The apparatus includes a wearable device that receives fluid from vasculature of a subject through an input channel. A pump is coupled to the input channel the pump configured to receive blood at a first flow rate and to convert the flow of the blood to a second flow rate. The device further includes a replaceable candidate cell capture module having a microfluidic capture stage with herringbone channel structures configured to capture the candidate cells by antibodies. The device is further configured to provide the blood back to the vasculature of the subject.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, extensions extending outwardly from the substrate and arranged about a center axis of the substrate to define a channel enabling the fluid to move radially from the center axis to an outer edge of the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the inlet of the system such that the sample of fluid flows radially from the inlet toward the outer edge of the substrate and capturing the rare cells as the rare cells interact with the functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extensions.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, extensions extending outwardly from the substrate and arranged about a center axis of the substrate to define a channel enabling the fluid to move radially from the center axis to an outer edge of the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the inlet of the system such that the sample of fluid flows radially from the inlet toward the outer edge of the substrate and capturing the rare cells as the rare cells interact with the functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extensions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.