Continuous dielectrophoretic cell classification method

• US 4,326,934 A
• Filed: 12/31/1979
• Issued: 04/27/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dwayne Cartouche, Jr, Mr Hans, The Cartouche Corporation
• Original Assignee: Herbert A. Pohl
• Inventors: Pohl, Herbert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Howard S.
• Application Number:
  US06/108,709
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 204/186, 204/180 R
• US Class Current: 204/547
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 5/026 using open-gradient differential dielectric separation, i.e. using electrodes of special shapes for non-uniform field creation, e.g. Fluid Integrated Circuit [FIC]
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/04 Cell isolation or sorting purging biological preparations of unwanted cells C12N5/0081, determining the presence or kind of microorganism C12Q1/04
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44721 by optical means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for classifying, characterizing, or sorting neutral particles, cells or their parts are disclosed. The apparatus and method are based upon both the positive and negative dielectrophoretic movement of neutral particles, cells, microorganisms or organalles when subjected to a nonuniform electric field generated between two electrodes, the exterior surfaces of which are separated by not more than 900 microns. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable with low conductivity suspensions of living cells or their parts.

Claims

1. A method of classifying neutral biological particles based on the electrical polarization of said particles comprising,

generating a non-uniform electric field between a plurality of approximately isomotive electrodes in which r₆₀ is not greater than about one millimeter, and

exposing a stream of said particles in a biologically non-toxic fluid medium to said non-uniform electric field by passing said stream of particles between said electrodes.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said neutral particles are approximately stream-centered in a non-conducting fluid medium.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a mixture of said neutral particles having different electrical polarizabilities is separated into its component parts.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein homogeneous neutral particles are characterized by production of a spectrum, further comprising,

sequentially measuring the displacement of said stream of particles from an initial reference point in the absence of an electric field to its position in a non-uniform electric field generated at a plurality of frequencies by an alternated current power source.