We're exploring the advantages and disadvantages of using syringe pumps like the New Era NE-1002X: (http://www.syringepump.com/Micro.php) vs pressure control systems like the MFCS-EZ: (http://www.fluigent.com/microfluidic-flow-control-system/)
Where might a syringe pump be more desirable and where might a flow control system be advantageous? Does anyone have experience with both types of systems?
Haven't had a chance to try the flow control systems, but here's what I've come across:
TL;DR: Syringe pumps are cheap and generally great for low-precision, single fluid applications. Pressure control systems are good for higher precision applications, working with multiple fluids, and applying vacuums or pressure gradients.
Syringe pumps:
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, relatively precise, can be computer controlled in some cases (but more expensive), easily adapted for many applications (e.g. micro fluidic loading, media exchange, and laminar flow patterning).
Cons: Displacement control rather than pressure means the flow rate is not always stable and can exhibit significant cyclic fluctuations in certain set-ups. They also are limited to relatively small reservoirs (e.g. syringes). You can easily run out of liquid and changing over can be difficult and requires having a second syringe and associated hardware (e.g. dual-syringe pump with independent control, etc.).
Flow control systems:
Pros: often come with easy to use control software, precise, no fluctuations, and multiplexing of different solutions in realtime (up to 4 in the system you linked to). Can also be used in applications where pressure really matters. For instance, suppose to want to draw a vacuum within your microfluidic device (e.g. vacuum-strain devices for mechanobiology). You should be able to define and maintain the vacuum pressure within the device which isn't possible with a displacement syringe pump due to the gas permeability of PDMS.
Cons: Expensive (?), overkill for applications where you only need single fluids in syringe-compatible volumes or when minor flow fluctuations are not relevant.
Excellent answers from Daniel. I can only add that syringe pumps really are much easier to use if you are a new user and starting out with microfluidic systems. Easy to set up, can also use really small volumes (Daniel mentions as con, but can be a pro). Pressure systems better for scaling up operations at a later stage - some problems converting from syringe pumps, but wasn't too much of a problem.
Daniel, Kevin, great answers! Thank you very much for taking the time to share.
Hello,
I would like to add that the response for a flow rate changes (by user) is immediate using pressure control pumps while it takes some time for syringe pumps (see http://www.fluigent.com/flow-rate-control-module ).
I don't agree a lot with Dr. Kevin that the syringe pumps are much easier to use. The pressure pumps from Fluigent have a so easy software. Moreover, in my opinion the less stability of flow while using the syringe pumps make them more difficult to use for a new user in particularly in the case of droplet/ bubble generation.
I totally agree on the above and for me in general, I think a pressure driven system is superior on almost all behalfs.
There is maybe one downside, you do not control flow rate but pressure and thus your flow rate will depend on the pressure and the flow resistance of your system. So in the end you can have different flow speeds whith the same pressure, when you change the total flow resistance. However, you can overcome this by adding a flow sensor to your system and using a feedback loop (providers of pressure driven systems normally have them and you can easily integrate them in your setup).
So in the end, if you are looking for a cost effective solution or do not need very good control or accuracy, go for a syringe pump, otherwise I would go for a pressure driven system.
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