A micro-cam actuated linear peristaltic pump for microfluidic applications

A linear peristaltic pump has been designed, fabricated, and tested for microfluidic applications. The operation of the pump is based on synchronously compressing the microfluidic channel with a miniature cam-follower system. The flexible microfluidic channel was fabricated with elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography. The miniature cam-follower system was fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The prototype pump is self-priming and tolerant of bubbles. The pumping flowrate under zero back pressure increases with the rotation speed of the cams within the tested speed range. A maximum pumping flow rate of 274 mu L/min was achieved at a driving speed of 170 rpm. The maximum back pressure was over 36 kPa. The pump has simple structure, low cost, and is easy to control. It has great potential for application in high flow rate, high back pressure and none contact pumping environment for point-of-care (POC) microfluidics. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.