(419l) Design and Simulation of An Automated Rare Blood Cell Detector

In recent years the demand for using circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts in cancer management has increased.  With the ability to detect small numbers of rare cells in blood and the motivation to non-invasively monitor therapeutic progress, CTC detection technology would play an important diagnostic role.  However, the current detection process can be performed only in specialized laboratories with the analysis requiring two to four skilled technicians.  The device’s price can reach seven figures, limiting the availability for cancer detection.  Analysis requires weeks (or even months), making it difficult to detect disease at an early stage.

            Our goal is to design a portable point-of-care device consisting of three syringes, a static mixer, a magnetic filter, a microfluidic “chip” and a waste receptor.  Compared with current detection systems, our device is much smaller, lower in price, and requires only one operator.  The device would be available for use in clinics, nursing homes or residences for detection of most cancers (pancreas, ovarian and melanoma) in an early stage.

            Our recent research focuses on the simulation of the cell detector.  CFD software is utilized to simulate the static mixer’s operation, mixing the blood sample, buffer and reagents.  CFD simulation results are then compared to the results of laboratory experiments.  Following the static mixer simulation, the magnetic filter is simulated, incorporating magnetic particle motion.  The results of the simulation are compared to experimental results with the results used to optimize the size and configuration of the magnet filter.