MICROFLUIDIC CELL SORTER AND METHOD
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- alignment structure configured and arranged to urge biological particles, which are carried in a fluid, toward substantially single-file travel through an interrogation zone;
detection structure operable to detect the presence of a first biological particle in said interrogation zone;
discrimination structure operable to distinguish said first biological particle as either residing inside a defined population of particles, or not;
killing structure configured and arranged substantially discriminately to kill a selected biological particle in a killing zone that is associated with said interrogation zone; and
a trigger operable to actuate said killing structure responsive to input received from one or both of said detection structure and said discrimination structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biological particle sorting device and method of its use. The device includes structure arranged to urge biological particles into substantially single file travel through an interrogation zone. Operable alignment structure nonexclusively include sheathed fluid flow, capillary tubes, an orifice, and fluid microchannels. One or more detector, selected from a plurality of operable such structures, may be employed to sense the presence of a biologic particle in the interrogation zone. Certain exemplary detectors may operate on the Coulter principle, or may detect a Stokes'"'"' shift, or side-scatter radiation. Discrimination structure is generally provided to categorize particles as being in one or another sub-population of a mix of biological particles that may be carried in a fluid sample, such as by cell type, size, or the like. Killing structure, such as a laser, is disposed to neutralize all particles in any undesired sub-population while leaving undamaged the desired sub-population(s). The device may be operated to essentially purify (in a living or viable sense) a sample including biological particles that are carried in a fluid diluent.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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alignment structure configured and arranged to urge biological particles, which are carried in a fluid, toward substantially single-file travel through an interrogation zone; detection structure operable to detect the presence of a first biological particle in said interrogation zone; discrimination structure operable to distinguish said first biological particle as either residing inside a defined population of particles, or not; killing structure configured and arranged substantially discriminately to kill a selected biological particle in a killing zone that is associated with said interrogation zone; and a trigger operable to actuate said killing structure responsive to input received from one or both of said detection structure and said discrimination structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A microfluidic apparatus, comprising:
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alignment structure configured and arranged to urge biological particles, which are carried in a fluid, toward substantially single-file travel through an interrogation zone; detection structure operable to detect the presence of a first biological particle in said interrogation zone using electrical impedance in accordance with the Coulter principle; discrimination structure operable to distinguish said first biological particle as either residing inside a defined population of particles, or not; killing structure configured and arranged substantially discriminately to kill a selected biological particle in a killing zone that is associated with said interrogation zone; and a trigger operable to actuate said killing structure responsive to input received from both of said detection structure and said discrimination structure.
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18. A method to sort biological particles, comprising the steps of:
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providing a microfluidic device comprising; alignment structure configured and arranged to urge biological particles, which are carried in a fluid, toward substantially single-file travel through an interrogation zone; detection structure operable to detect the presence of a first biological particle in said interrogation zone; discrimination structure operable to distinguish said first biological particle as either residing inside a defined population of particles, or not; and killing structure configured and arranged substantially discriminately to kill a selected biological particle in a killing zone that is associated with said interrogation zone; introducing a fluid sample, comprising biological particles carried by a dilutant fluid medium, for flow of said sample past said alignment structure; and operating a trigger to actuate said killing structure effective to kill a sub-population of biological particles responsive to input received from one or both of said detection structure and said discrimination structure as said sample flows through said device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification