Particle sorter with neutralized collection wells and method of using same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sorting particles moving in a liquid stream according to differences in particle parameters comprising:
- means for providing a continuous liquid stream containing particles therein;
detector means for detecting particles in the stream;
means for modulating the flowing liquid stream to disrupt its continuous flow and cause discrete particle-containing droplets to be formed;
droplet charging means responsive to the detector means for electrically charging selected droplets;
electrical deflecting means for deflecting charged droplets to separate same from uncharged or oppositely charged droplets; and
means for simultaneously and periodically reversing the respective polarities of the droplet charging means and the electrical deflecting means whereby particles of the same selective interest, some of which have opposite electrical charges thereon, are collectible in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for sorting particles comprises a nozzle or the like for forming discrete droplets of particles from a flowing liquid stream containing those particles. A detector is provided for detecting particles in the stream. A charging electrode, responsive to the detector, charges some droplets of selective interest with a positive electrical charge and some with a negative electrical charge. Electrical deflecting plates deflect charged droplets of selective interest. Droplets of selective interest, charged with opposite polarities, are collected in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized. A method for sorting particles, such as cells or the like, substantially in accordance with the above-described apparatus is another aspect of the present invention.
101 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for sorting particles moving in a liquid stream according to differences in particle parameters comprising:
-
means for providing a continuous liquid stream containing particles therein; detector means for detecting particles in the stream; means for modulating the flowing liquid stream to disrupt its continuous flow and cause discrete particle-containing droplets to be formed; droplet charging means responsive to the detector means for electrically charging selected droplets; electrical deflecting means for deflecting charged droplets to separate same from uncharged or oppositely charged droplets; and means for simultaneously and periodically reversing the respective polarities of the droplet charging means and the electrical deflecting means whereby particles of the same selective interest, some of which have opposite electrical charges thereon, are collectible in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A particle sorting apparatus comprising:
-
means for forming discrete droplets of particles from a flowing liquid stream containing said particles; means for detecting particles in the stream; means responsive to the detecting means for charging some droplets of selective interest with a positive charge and some with a negative charge; means for separating said charged droplets of selective interest; and means for collecting droplets of said selective interest, charged with opposite polarities, in the same ungrounded collection means so that the electrical charge of said collection means is substantially neutralized.
-
-
14. A method for sorting particles moving in a liquid stream according to differences in particle parameters comprising:
-
producing a continuous liquid stream containing particles therein; detecting particles in said stream; modulating the flowing liquid stream to disrupt its continuous flow and cause discrete particle-containing droplets to be formed; electrically charging selected droplets, with a charge of selective polarity, responsive to said detecting of particles; deflecting charged droplets in an electrostatic field of a selective polarity to separate same from uncharged or oppositely charged droplets; simultaneously and periodically reversing the respective polarities of the charge applied to droplets and that of said electrostatic field; and collecting sorted particles of the same selective interest, some of which have opposite charges thereon, in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for sorting particles comprising:
-
forming discrete droplets of particles from a flowing liquid stream containing said particles; detecting particles in the stream; charging droplets of selective interest, responsive to said detection of particles, some with a positive charge and some with a negative charge; separating said charged droplets of selective interest; and collecting droplets of said selective interest, charged with opposite polarities, in the same ungrounded collection means so that the electrical charge of said collection means is substantially neutralized.
-
Specification