Integrate a pressure/vacuum source
Microfluidic Flow Control System
- Customize your own
MFCS™ series
The MFCS™, or Microfluidic Flow Control System, is a pressure based microfluidic flow controller. Either 4 or 8 channels are available with different pressure ranges for microfluidic experiments. By using the patented FASTAB™ microfluidic technology, the MFCS™ generates a constant pressure-driven flow rate that allows for reliable and repeatable experiments.
Main benefits
Customizable
AdaptableUp to 8 channels with various ranges
ReliablePatented & Field-proven technology
CompactFlat & Light design for benchtop use
Features of the MFCS
Easy to set up & use
The Microfluidic Flow Control System can be controlled by Fluigent software to automate your protocols. It can easily be connected to other microfluidic devices such as FLOW UNIT sensors to allow for flow-rate control.
Independent channels
Each channel can be controlled independently and deliver a specific amount of pressure or vacuum to handle fluids. Available pressure ranges from -800 mbar for vacuum aspiration up to 7 bar for pressure.
Get superior results fast
Reach your pressure targets rapidly and get your experiment started instantaneously. The field-proven technology lets you quickly obtain reliable and superior results for your experiments.
Reliable & Reproducible results
The FASTAB™ microfluidic patented technology used by the MFCS™ Microfluidic Flow Control System series avoids cross-contamination as there is no direct contact between the instrument and the reagents. The pulseless and precise control enabled by our pressure-driven technology is critical for repeatable results in many applications.
Adaptability & Integration
The MFCS™ system can provide negative or positive pressures as needed by using up to four or eight independently controllable channels. In addition, a microfluidic pressure pump can easily be integrated into a setup with the Software Development Kit (SDK).
Fully customizable
The design of our Microfluidic Flow Control System depends on your needs. You can choose the number of channels in the device (4 or 8), with each channel ranging from -800 mbar to 7 bar, and you even have the option to integrate a pressure or vacuum source inside the instrument. Customize your controller to meet your control needs.
Related applications
Pressure-based microfluidic controller: Better stability & responsiveness
The MFCS™ series product range is the first generation of microfluidic systems. Along with the MCFS™-EZ or MCFS™-EX, a manifold can be added to redirect pressure to multiple fluid reservoirs.
The flow generated can be measured or controlled with FLOW UNITs and the Flowboard. The MFCS™-EX provides up to 8 negative or positive pressure channels to pressurize multiple fluid reservoirs. It can have an integrated pressure/vacuum source or be coupled with the FLPG+, an external pressure source, for those who don’t have access to a laboratory bench-mounted gas source. The Microfluidic Flow Control System can be integrated, automated or controlled in real time using Fluigent Software Solutions.
The technology used in this pressure pump avoids cross-contamination because liquids only contact air. The pulseless flow provides improved reliability and reproducibility of results. The use of pressure to handle fluids also provides a quick response time allowing for precise operations such as stop flow and accurate pressure/flow rate steps. The MFCS™ series products are well suited to manipulating fluid volumes in the low to sub microliter per minute range.
Specifications
PERFORMANCE
| Stability | <0.1% on the measured value |
| Resolution | 0.03% full range |
| Accuracy | 0.25% full range |
| Repeatability | <0.001% full scale |
| Response time | Down to 10 ms |
PRESSURE/VACUUM RANGE
| Channel part number (MFCS™-EZ) | Channel part number (MFCS™-EX) | Pressure/Vacuum range | Required supply | Maximum pressure supply |
| EZ-00345001 | EX-00345001 | 0 to 345 mbar (0 to 5,00 psi) | 1100 mbar (15,95 psi) | 900 mbar (13,05 psi) |
| EZ-01000001 | EX-01000001 | 0 to 1000 mbar (0 to 14,50 psi) | 1100 mbar (15,95 psi) | 1400 mbar (20,3 psi) |
| EZ-01000002 | EX-01000002 | 0 to 2000 mbar (0 to 29,01 psi) | 2100 mbar (30,46 psi) | 2600 mbar (37,7 psi) |
| EZ-07000001 | EX-07000001 | 0 to 7000 mbar (0 to 101,5 psi) | 7100 mbar (103,0 psi) | 7600 mbar (110,22 psi) |
| EZ-80025001 | EX-80025001 | 0 to -25 mbar (0 to -0,36 psi) | -800 mbar (-11,6 psi) | N/A |
| EZ-80069001 | EX-80069001 | 0 to -69 mbar (0 to -1,0 psi) | -800 mbar (-11,6 psi) | N/A |
| EZ-80345001 | EX-80345001 | 0 to -345 mbar (0 to -5,00 psi) | -800 mbar (-11,6 psi) | N/A |
| EZ-80800001 | EX-80800001 | 0 to -800 mbar (0 to -11,6 psi) | -800 mbar (-11,6 psi) | N/A |
STANDARD OPERATING CONDITIONS
| Operating temperature | 20°C (68°F) |
| Operating humidity | 40% HR |
WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS
| MFCS™-EZ | MFCS™-EX | |
| Dimensions | 160 x 230 x 63 mm | 265 x 262 x 73 mm |
| Weight | 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs) | 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) |
ELECTRONICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Power consumption | 1.5 W |
| Output connectors | Female luer lock (-800 to 2000 mbar) 4mm OD tube (7 bar) |
| Pneumatic connections | Speedfit |
CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY
| Gas compatibility | Dry, oil-free gas, air, any non corrosive or non explosive gas |
| Liquid compatibility | Aqueous solvent, oil, organic solent, biological sample |
OxyGEN
| Control in real-time, protocol automation, data record and export |
| ver. 2.2.0.0 or more recent |
Software Development Kit
| Custom software application |
| ver. 22.2.0.0 or more recent |
Migrating cells in gradient
Migrating cells in dynamic chemical gradients generated by a microfluidic chamber (cells, gray; chemoattractant with fluorescein,green). Video courtesy of Pr Satoshi Sawai ( University of Tokyo, Japan).
Microfluidic cell sorting
With the Fluigent Microfluidic Flow Control System (MFCS-4C) one can sort cells by size, shape and deformability as shown in this publication in the journal Lab-on-a-Chip and explained in the next video.
Separation of parasites from human blood
See an example of applications using the MFCS series: « Separation of parasites from human blood using deterministic lateral displacement, S. H. Holm, J. P. Beech, M. P. Barrett and J. O. Tegenfeldt, Lab Chip, vol.11, 2011
Microfluidic cell perfusion
The MFCSTM series and Flow EZTM with Fluigent valves can be used for automated cell perfusion as in the next video.