Hi all,
I am trying to culture tumor spheroids inside my PDMS based microfluidic devices. However, as soon as I complete 24 hrs of dynamic perfusion, while removing the tubes I found the spheroids were disintegrating (Flow rate = 1 ul/min). I suspect as soon as I remove tubes, it creates suction pressure which might be responsible for spheroid disturbance. Can anybody suggest a solution for this? How do you manage to remove tubes out without disturbing spheroids in microwells?
Is it necessary to remove the tubes entirely from the chip? You could place a valve between the pump and the chip; then, after you switch off the pump, you close the valve and you could remove the chip from the pump without suction pressure. The valve and the tubing between valve and chip would still be in place though.
If it is not necessary to disconnect tubes completely, just cut them quickly with a sharp blade or a scissor. You should always try not to "shock" the system.
Georg R. Pesch Thank you for the suggestion. However, I have 7 inlets, which makes it difficult to place such an assembly.
Arash Yahyazadeh Shourabi Thank you for the suggestion. It seems feasible to cut the tubes. However, the moment I cut the tube, the tubes end will be open to atmosphere, which might induce the flow again. (I am actually withdrawing the fluid from 7 inlets and 3 outlet holes are connected to pump. So, once I cut the tubes, the fluid from 7 inlets might flow towards outlet) Please correct If I am wrong.
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