Optical graphene-based ultrasensitive microfluidic sensor for the real-time and label-free monitoring of simulated arterial blood flow

Highly-sensitive, real-time and label-free sensing of liquid flow in microfluidic environments remains challenging. Here, by growing high-quality graphene directly on a glass substrate, we designed a microfluidic integrated graphene-based flow sensor (GFS) capable of detecting complex, weak, and transient flow velocity and pressure signals in a microfluidic environment. This device was used to study weak and transient liquid flows, especially blood flow, which is closely related to heart and artery functions. By simulating cardiac peristalsis and arterial flow using peristaltic pumps and microfluidic systems, we monitored simulated arterial blood flow. This ultrasensitive graphene-based flow sensor accurately detected a flow velocity limit as low as 0.7 mm/s, a pumping frequency range of 0.04 Hz to 2.5 Hz, and a pressure range from 0.6 kPa to 14 kPa. By measuring the blood flow velocities and pressures, pathological blood flow signals were distinguished and captured by the corresponding flow velocities or pressures, which can reflect vascular occlusion and heart functions. This sensor may be used for the real-time and label-free monitoring of heart patients' basic vital signs using their blood flow and provide a possible new method for the care of critically ill patients.