Abstract
A Lab-on-chip using MEMS fabrication technology concepts, has been the focus of many different research groups in the past decades. This research topic has been investigated extensively to identify the many advantages that a lab-on-chip device can potentially offer to the medical field. MEMS devices stand to reduce the sampling sizes required to perform medical analysis, which in turn will minimize the impact biological sampling will have on patients. Because lab-on-chip devices are portable, unlike most traditional lab systems, they reduce chances of contamination and human error, and increase turn around time of medical analysis. The research done in this area has produced many promising advances in the extraction of biological tissues and fluids and the analysis of these tissues and fluids. However, one important aspect remains fairly uninvestigated. That is, how to bridge the gap from direct extraction to analysis, taking raw samples and converting them into useable specimens for analysis. Cellular analysis using MEMS devices typically uses presorted, pre-stained, or pre-cultured samples. The processing to do these preliminary steps is done with traditional lab equipment.
