Microfabricated Cell Sorter
First Claim
1. A device for sorting biological material comprising:
- a microfabricated substrate having at least one main channel and at least two branch channels which meet at a junction,a detection region upstream and proximate to the junction comprising a detection apparatus for evaluating the biological material according to at least one characteristic as the material passes through the detection region,a discrimination region downstream from the detection region,a flow control system responsive to the detection apparatus and adapted to direct biological material through the discrimination region into a branch channel.
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Abstract
The invention provides a microfabricated device for sorting cells based on a desired characteristic, for example, reporter-labeled cells can be sorted by the presence or level of reporter on the cells. The device includes a chip having a substrate into which is microfabricated at least one analysis unit. Each analysis unit includes a main channel, having a sample inlet channel, typically at one end, and a detection region along a portion of its length. Adjacent and downstream from the detection region, the main channel has a discrimination region or branch point leading to at least two branch channels. The analysis unit may further include additional inlet channels, detection points, branch points, and branch channels as desired. A stream containing cells is passed through the detection region, such that on average one cell occupies the detection region at a given time. The cells can be sorted into an appropriate branch channel based on the presence or amount of a detectable signal such as an optical signal, with or without stimulation, such as exposure to light in order to promote fluorescence.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A device for sorting biological material comprising:
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a microfabricated substrate having at least one main channel and at least two branch channels which meet at a junction, a detection region upstream and proximate to the junction comprising a detection apparatus for evaluating the biological material according to at least one characteristic as the material passes through the detection region, a discrimination region downstream from the detection region, a flow control system responsive to the detection apparatus and adapted to direct biological material through the discrimination region into a branch channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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5-6. -6. (canceled)
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21-37. -37. (canceled)
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38. A method for sorting a fluid mixture of cells comprising:
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providing the mixture of cells to a main channel of a microfabricated substrate, wherein the main channel is in fluid communication with at least two downstream branch channels which meet at a junction; producing a flow of fluid in the channels; interrogating each cell for a predetermined characteristic as it passes a detection region associated with the main channel; generating a signal indicating the results of the interrogation; directing the flow of each cell into a selected branch channel according to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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39-42. -42. (canceled)
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44-50. -50. (canceled)
Specification