METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING PARTICLES

• US 20100133151A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cytonome/St, Llc (Cytonome Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cytonome/St, Llc (Cytonome Inc.)
• Inventors: Bohm, Sebastian, Deshpande, Manish, Gilbert, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,963,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/155
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 5/00 Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating separating by pneumatic tables or by pneumatic jigs B03B4/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 5/00 Manufacture of fluid circuit elements; Manufacture of assemblages of such elements integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0028 Valves having multiple inlets or outlets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0046 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0048 using piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0061 actuated by an expanding gas or liquid volume
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/14 Optical investigation techniques, e.g. flow cytometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/906 Pneumatic or liquid stream feeding item
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/932 Fluid applied to items

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Claims

1. A method of sorting small particles comprising the steps of:

providing a closed duct having an inlet and a fork at which the duct separates into two branch ducts;

conducting a stream of liquid into the duct inlet with a stream of particles suspended therein, the particle stream normally flowing through a first one of the branch ducts;

surrounding the stream of liquid with a particle free enveloping current of liquid to produce substantially laminar flow;

providing a measurement station along the closed duct upstream of the fork for sensing a predetermined property of particles in the stream and for producing a signal when the property is sensed;

providing an actuator for applying a pressure on the liquid; and

providing means for buffering pressure variations in the liquid, the pressure buffering means co-operating with the pressure applying means to result in a momentary deflection of the liquid streaming through the duct substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of flow from the point where the pressure is applied towards the point where the pressure is buffered, causing the specific particle having the predetermined property to flow into the second branch duct without eliminating the laminar flow.