METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING CELLS USING AN OPTICAL SWITCH IN A MICROFLUIDIC CHANNEL NETWORK
First Claim
1. A method for cell sorting in a device comprising a microfluidic network having a sample inlet, one or more inlet channels, a main channel, and at least two outlet channels, comprising the steps of:
- receiving cells in a fluidic medium at the sample inlet,flowing the cells through the main channel,subjecting the cells to a bias flow preferentially resulting in collection of the cells in a first reservoir in fluid communication with a first outlet channel, wherein the bias flow is created by applying asymmetric pressure to one or more of the channels of the microfluidic network,identifying a cell to be sorted through application of a lateral force into a second reservoir coupled to a second outlet channel, andapplying a lateral force on the cell, the lateral force configured to be translated at a non-zero angle down the main channel toward the at least two outlet channels and characterized in that the lateral force is a non-trapping force, whereby the cell is moved transverse to the preferentially biased flow and selectively exits the second outlet channel coupled to the second reservoir.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on an optical switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for cell sorting in a device comprising a microfluidic network having a sample inlet, one or more inlet channels, a main channel, and at least two outlet channels, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving cells in a fluidic medium at the sample inlet, flowing the cells through the main channel, subjecting the cells to a bias flow preferentially resulting in collection of the cells in a first reservoir in fluid communication with a first outlet channel, wherein the bias flow is created by applying asymmetric pressure to one or more of the channels of the microfluidic network, identifying a cell to be sorted through application of a lateral force into a second reservoir coupled to a second outlet channel, and applying a lateral force on the cell, the lateral force configured to be translated at a non-zero angle down the main channel toward the at least two outlet channels and characterized in that the lateral force is a non-trapping force, whereby the cell is moved transverse to the preferentially biased flow and selectively exits the second outlet channel coupled to the second reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for cell sorting in a device comprising a microfluidic network having a sample inlet, one or more inlet channels, a main channel, and at least two outlet channels, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving cells in a fluidic medium at the sample inlet, flowing the cells through the main channel, subjecting the cells to a bias flow preferentially resulting in collection of the cells in a first reservoir in fluid communication with a first outlet channel, wherein the bias flow is created by configuring one or more of the channels of the microfluidic network to have asymmetric geometries, identifying a cell to be sorted through application of a lateral force into a second reservoir coupled to a second outlet channel, and applying a lateral force on the cell, configured to be translated at a non-zero angle down the main channel toward the at least two outlet channels and characterized in that the lateral force is a non-trapping force, whereby the cell is moved transverse to the preferentially biased flow and selectively exits the second outlet channel coupled to the second reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification