One-step fabrication of microfluidic chips with in-plane, adhesive-free interconnections

A simple method for creating interconnections to a common microfluidic device material, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), is presented. A press-fit interconnection is created between oversized, deformable tubing and complementary, undersized semi-circular ports fabricated into PMMA bonding surfaces by direct micromilling. Upon UV-assisted bonding the tubing is trapped in the ports of the PMMA chip and forms an integrated, in-plane and adhesive-free interconnection. The interconnections support the average pressure of 6.1 bar and can be made with small dead volumes. A comparison is made to a similar interconnection approach which uses tubing to act as a gasket between a needle and port on the microfluidic chip. (technical note)