Novel Hexagonal Shaft Microfluidic Array for Improved Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and Microembolis

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and Circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) are critical for understanding cancer progression and improving diagnostics. This study presents a Hexagonal Shaft Microfluidic Array (HSMA) for efficient isolation of CTCs and CTMs. The HSMA chip, designed with high porosity and uniformity, utilizes advanced microfabrication and computational fluid dynamics for optimized cell capture. Testing with MCF-7 cell lines demonstrated capture efficiencies of 92% for single CTCs and over 94% for small CTMs. The designed structure directs the movement of cells within the solution, facilitating their proper capture. The vertical side walls provide support for the CTMs, enabling them to withstand lateral shear forces and prevent dissociation. The HSMA's antigen-independent operation and preservation of CTM integrity offer significant potential for clinical cancer diagnostics.