微流控技术已经表现出在微流控设备中分离循环肿瘤细胞(CTC)的显著能力。通过进一步理解几何参数对其分离性能的影响，它可以更有效地使用。本文通过改变几何参数来研究Y-Y微流控器件的分离性能。在设备中，采用交变电场电泳(AC DEP)方法分离CTC。基于Taguchi方法，创建了16种具有不同几何参数的器件模型。几何参数包括主通道长度L、主通道宽度W、电极间角度α和缓冲入口通道角度β。设备中的电场、流场和细胞轨迹都进行了数值模拟以分析几何参数的影响。使用信噪比(SNR)来确定影响程度的顺序和最佳几何参数组合。实验结果表明，提高缓冲入口的流速可以增强分离纯度。W对分离纯度的影响最为显著，占50.48%，β对分离纯度的影响最弱，仅占7.81%。发现L = 1080 µm、W = 110 µm、α = 60°和β = 60°是最佳的几何参数组合。得到拟合回归方程，以描述这些参数对分离纯度的影响。研究结果可能为设计微流控器件以分离CTC提供指导。版权所有©2023年Elsevier B.V.出版发行。

Microfluidic technology has shown a remarkable ability to separate circulating tumor cells (CTC) in microfluidic devices. It can be used more effectively by further understanding the effect of geometric parameters on its separation performance. In this paper, the separation performance of a Y-Y microfluidic device was examined by varying its geometry parameters. In the device, the alternating current dielectrophoresis (AC DEP) method was used to separate CTC. 16 device models with various geometric parameters were created based on the Taguchi method. The geometric parameters included main channel length L, main channel width W, interelectrode angle α, and buffer inlet channel angle β. The electric field, flow field, and cell trajectory in the device were all numerically simulated to analyze the effect of geometric parameters. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was used to determine the order of effect degree and optimal combination of geometric parameters. The results demonstrated that raising the flow velocity in the buffer inlet could enhance the separation purity. The separation purity was affected by the geometric parameters in the order of W> α> L> β. β had the weakest impact on the separation purity and accounted for 7.81%, while W had the most remarkable impact and accounted for 50.48%. It is found that the set of L = 1080 µm, W = 110 µm, α= 60°, and β= 60° is the optimal combination of geometric parameters. A fitting regression equation is found to describe well the effect of these parameters on separation purity. The results may provide a guide for designing microfluidic devices for separating CTC.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.