Ribbon flow cytometry and cell sorting
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device for sorting cells, comprising:
- a. an input channel for receiving sample solution;
b. a primary channel, with a first end of the primary channel connected with a sheath solution reservoir and a second end connected with at least two branch channels which connect at a junction;
c. a sheath injector positioned upstream from the junction and connected with the input channel such that sample solution entering the primary channel flows through the sheath injector and is hydrodynamically focused into a ribbon compressed between at least two layers of sheath solution;
d. an interrogation region positioned between the junction and the sheath injector, where the interrogation region is coupled with a recognition apparatus for evaluating the cells in the ribbon according to at least one cell feature as the ribbon passes through the interrogation region; and
e. a cell diversion system responsive to the recognition apparatus and capable of directing fluid flow into a branch channel based on a detected feature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device for sorting cells is described. The device includes an input channel, a primary channel, at least two branch channels which connect with the primary channel at a junction, and a sheath injector positioned upstream from the junction. Sample solution, which may contain a population of cells, can be entered into the input channel and hydrodynamically focused into a sample ribbon. The device employs a system for directing fluid flow, and particularly the flow of the sample ribbon, into a branch channel based on a detected cell feature. The system can employ a variety of sorting techniques to change or direct the flow of cells into a particular branch channel.
100 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device for sorting cells, comprising:
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a. an input channel for receiving sample solution;
b. a primary channel, with a first end of the primary channel connected with a sheath solution reservoir and a second end connected with at least two branch channels which connect at a junction;
c. a sheath injector positioned upstream from the junction and connected with the input channel such that sample solution entering the primary channel flows through the sheath injector and is hydrodynamically focused into a ribbon compressed between at least two layers of sheath solution;
d. an interrogation region positioned between the junction and the sheath injector, where the interrogation region is coupled with a recognition apparatus for evaluating the cells in the ribbon according to at least one cell feature as the ribbon passes through the interrogation region; and
e. a cell diversion system responsive to the recognition apparatus and capable of directing fluid flow into a branch channel based on a detected feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sorting unit contained within a cartridge, comprising:
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a. an input channel for receiving sample solution;
b. a primary channel, with a first end of the primary channel connected with a sheath solution reservoir and a second end connected with at least two branch channels which connect at a junction;
c. a sheath injector positioned upstream from the junction and connected with the input channel such that sample solution entering the primary channel flows through the sheath injector and is hydrodynamically focused into a ribbon compressed between at least two layers of sheath solution;
d. an interrogation region positioned between the junction and the sheath injector, where the interrogation region is coupled with a recognition apparatus for detecting labeled cells as the ribbon passes through the interrogation region; and
e. a cell diversion system responsive to the recognition apparatus and capable of directing fluid flow into a branch channel based on a detected feature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of sorting cells in a microfluidic device, comprising the steps of:
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a. hydrodynamically focusing a population of cells into a ribbon compressed between at least two layers of sheath solution;
b. flowing the ribbon through a channel comprising an interrogation region;
c. determining the presence or amount of label on each cell as it passes through the interrogation region; and
d. diverting cells into a first branch channel or a second branch channel based on the presence or amount of label on each cell. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification