Systems and methods for high-throughput cell screening

A device comprising:

• a housing comprising an inlet opening and outlet opening;
• a microfluidic chamber comprising:
• a first microfluidic layer that comprises a first aperture and a first array of microscale structures;
• and
• a second microfluidic layer that comprises a second aperture and a second array of microscale structures, the second aperture being concentric to the first aperture;
• and
• a column positioned within the first aperture and the second aperture and extending from a bottom surface of the microfluidic chamber to a top surface of the microfluidic chamber;
• wherein the microfluidic chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet openings of the housing.

An additive manufacturing method, comprising:

• constructing a microfluidic device having a microfluidic chamber;
• and
• removing, by a thermal release process, at least some sacrificial support material deposited during the additive manufacturing;
• wherein the thermal release process includes:
• heating the microfluidic device at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount time;
• bathing the microfluidic device in a hot liquid bath;
• and
• flushing a hot liquid through the microfluidic chamber.

A method comprising:

• constructing, using an additive manufacturing device, a microfluidic device comprising:
• a housing including an inlet opening and outlet opening;
• and
• a microfluidic chamber in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the microfluidic chamber including:
• a first microfluidic layer having a first array of microscale structures;
• and
• a second microfluidic layer having a second array of microscale structures:
• removing, by a thermal release process, at least some sacrificial support material deposited by the additive manufacturing device;
• chemically functionalizing at least a portion of the microfluidic chamber;
• flushing the microfluidic chamber with uncured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS);
• and
• applying an airflow to the microfluidic chamber.

A method comprising:

• creating, with an additive manufacturing device, a negative mold of a three-dimensional channel, the negative mold being composed of a material having a lower melting point than polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS);
• suspending the negative mold in a container;
• providing PDMS into the container;
• allowing the PDMS to cure;
• and
• removing, by a thermal release process, the negative mold.