An Automatic Diverter Microfluidic Chip with Dual-Channel Concentration Gradient for Drug Screening of Head and Neck Tumor Cells

This paper reports an automatic diverter microfluidic chip using a dual-channel concentration gradient to screen drug for head and neck tumor cells. The research emphasizes the high throughput and rapidity of the chip through the design of the flow channel, reducing the chip volume and increasing the mixing area as well. Meanwhile, the design includes minimal chamber volumes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) organoid culture. A concentration gradient based on convection generates six different drug concentrations, allowing for stable drug mixing within 100 µL/min. Cell viability of Cal-27 were tested to be able to decrease with increasing drug concentration, and the results inside and outside the chip were consistent. Additionally, the results from chip were superior to those from traditional methods. This drug screening platform offers significant opportunities for the diagnostic research and development of personalized treatment plans for head and neck tumors.