Thermal gel actuated device for spout/suction inside semi-closed microchip

In this paper, we propose a thermal gel actuated probe which uses the volume change of the thermal gel as an actuator. The thermal gel actuated probe can be used for single cell analysis, especially single cell manipulation. The phase change from sol to gel causes an increase in volume, while the change from gel to sol causes a decrease in volume. The thermal gel actuated probe can spout and suck solution by these volume changes. This thermal gel actuated probe can be used as a disposable device. The thermal gel actuated probe also realize easy to use because it is needed only to switch the heater turning on and off for spout and suction of solution. The volume change of the thermal gel was evaluated. It is also evaluated that the volume of spouted solution by the thermal gel actuated probe. Finally, the target single microbead suction and spout were demonstrated by the thermal gel actuated probe. It is considered that the thermal gel actuated probe can realize the target cell manipulation, and can contribute to the single cell analysis.