ABSTRACT
Precise control of fluid flow is of utmost importance for microflow cytometers. The fluidic control system of a typical flow cytometer utilizes a sheath fluid surrounding the sample stream to focus the particles/cells into the single-file stream. Fluidic system designers must therefore be careful to select pumps and valves that minimize unwanted fluidic noise introduced into the system. This chapter provides a brief review of various micropumps and microvalves that are particularly amenable to microflow cytometers. Micropumps can be classified based on the mechanisms they use to produce flow and pressure. The chapter discusses two primary categories: displacement micropumps and dynamic micropumps. In order for the microflow cytometer to become portable or even a handheld instrument, the critical pumps and valves will first have to be miniaturized. While a large amount of promising research has demonstrated working micropumps and valves for microfluidic devices, the integration of these pumps and valves into microflow cytomers has been limited.
