Dolomite - the latest microfluidic news...

With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with, for example, electronic and optical detection systems. 'Lab on a chip' technology is impacting a broad range of application areas; accelerating drug discovery, providing better point of care systems and enabling more responsive and portable environmental testing systems to be realised.

"There has been a lot of research and progress into the development of microfluidic chips," said Dr Gillian Davis, Regional Sales Manager at Dolomite. "We now have many powerful devices that are advancing such sciences as drug discovery, forensics and environmental testing. However, the challenge has been also to develop the necessary peripheral components that enable the chips to work in the real world. This includes such items as connectors, chip holders and pumping systems. Dolomite’s new intelligent Mitos Syringe Pump has been designed specifically to address the requirements of the microfluidic community, enabling more complex and more powerful microfluidic systems to be realised."

Key to the design of the pump is the ability to programme two 6-port valves and two syringes to operate in a number of configurations to offer a broad range of fluid delivery capabilities. Programmed using the simple twist and click control knob on the front panel, or via a PC, the Mitos Syringe Pump can dispense fluid by volume or flow rate over a time period, or the user can choose to create an advanced flow profile. Offering a wide flow rate capability of between 0.5µl/min to 10ml/min, the Mitos Syringe Pump will address many requirements demanded by microfluidic systems.

"The Pump’s versatility is very exciting," said Gillian. "It can deliver, for example, up to 10 different fluids, sequentially to one input channel of a chip, or the same fluid sequentially to 10 different input channels or provide just one continuous smooth flow of fluid. Between that configurability and the facility to create unique flow profiles, we are confident that the Mitos Syringe Pump will be an important contribution to the development of future microfluidic systems. Complex chips with multi-layer and multi-function capability, are already starting to appear in the marketplace and we think this intelligent approach to fluid delivery into the chip will further advance the overall potential of microfluidics."

Dolomite is a leader in the field of microfluidics. They have previously won £2m in funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative; this allowed Dolomite to establish excellent microfabrication facilities that include cleanrooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories. In addition to this, Dolomite has managed to attract top quality engineering and scientific staff with strong backgrounds across the broad range of disciplines required for success in bringing microfluidics applications to the market, including chemistry, biotechnology, control system development, electronics, physics and instrument design and supply.

Dolomite is fast becoming a global company with offices in the UK, US and Japan and distributors throughout the rest of the world. Its clients range from universities developing leading-edge analytical equipment, to manufacturers of chemical, life sciences and clinical-diagnostic systems.

For more information on Dolomite's Mitos Syringe Pump - contact sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com or
call +44 (0)1763 242491. For a list of our international offices click here.

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