Low-cost microfilter for red blood cell membrane stiffness measurement using photosensitive BCB

Present paper proposes a new sensor for red blood cell (RBC) membrane stiffness measurement. The sensor incorporates an array of microfilters with decreasing pore size in a microchannel. Diluted blood suspension is pumped through the channel where the stiff unhealthy RBCs are blocked by the filter. The prototype sensor was fabricated on a silicon wafer. Photosensitive benzocyclobutene (BCB) was used as construction material for the filter and it was also used as adhesive material for bonding. Due to the simple structure of the device, fabrication can be done with inexpensive plastic technologies, which together with the need of only little external instrumentation makes the device applicable in isolated tropical regions.