A multistage-dialysis microdevice for extraction of cryoprotectants

Abstract

In this study, we present a multistage-dialysis microdevice (MDM) for extraction of cryoprotectants (CPAs) from a CPA-laden cell suspension. We confirmed the functions of the key designs of the MDM using a fluorescence solution, we assessed the performance of the MDM by using the MDM to unload glycerin from glycerin-loaded swine erythrocytes, and we investigated the effects of the cell suspension flow rate, glycerin concentration, cell density, and membrane pore size on the clearance efficiency of glycerin (C_G), the survival rate of cells (S_C), and the recovery rate of cells (R_C). Under the designed conditions, C_G, S_C, and R_C reached ~60%, ~90%, and ~70%, respectively. In addition, a high flow rate causes high S_C and R_C but a low C_G. For a low glycerin concentration, C_G, S_C, and R_C are all high. If a low cell density or a large pore membrane is used, C_G is high, whereas both S_C and R_C are low. This work provides insight into the development of microfluidic devices for the inline extraction of cryoprotectants from a small volume of cryopreserved cells prior to the use of the cells in lab-on-a-chip applications.

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