Patent attributes
The application relates to microfluidic needles and their manufacturing methods. The microfluidic needle comprises an interface portion containing at least one fluid communication channel, an elongated needle portion (40) projecting away from the interface portion (44), the needle portion having a tip and sidewalls connecting the tip to the interface portion, and at least two microfluidic channels (43 A-B) within the needle portion in fluidic connection with the at least one communication channel, the microfluidic channels being at least partly oriented parallel to the elongated needle portion. According to the application, the microfluidic channels exit the needle portion at the sidewalls of the needle portion. The needle may be fabricated by ALD-assisted silicon micromachining. The needle can be used for injection and/or sampling fluids to/from tissue or individual cells.