3D field focusing and defocusing geometries for cell trapping on a chip

MEMS, electromagnetic field is a way to manipulate droplets, beads or cells without direct contact. In particular, dielectrophoresis is often used in bioMEMS applications, for cell handling operations such as moving, sorting, trapping or deforming cells. In this paper, a 3D focusing geometry for the electrical field is proposed, that permit the trapping of single cell, or cells pair, thanks to positive dielectrophoresis. The design is explained with highlighting the focusing effect versus insulator shape for trapping cells. A prototype based on classical MEMS process and results of first trapping are presented.