Micro-flow system for particle separation and analysis
First Claim
1. A micro flow system for separating particles, comprising a member havinga flow channel defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid containing the particles through the flow channel, the flow channel having an inlet end and an outlet end, the particles remaining in the flow channel for a time, and the particles flowing in a path through the channel at a fluid flow rate, the path of flow having a width and a position, first inlet means positioned at the inlet end of the flow channel for entering the fluid into the flow channel, second inlet means for entering a first guiding buffer for controlling cross-section and flow path through the flow channel of the flow of the fluid containing particles, the first guiding buffer having a flow rate, first outlet means positioned at the outlet of the flow channel for discharging the fluid from the flow channel, the flow of the fluid containing the particles being controlled in such a way that one particle at a time passes a cross-section of the flow channel, the member being positioned in a field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel so that particles residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the field across the flow channel are deflected into the first guiding buffer toward the field.
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Abstract
A micro flow system is provided for separating particles, comprising a microfabricated member having a flow channel (5) defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid containing the particles through the flow channel, first inlet means (2) positioned at one end of the flow channel for entering the fluid into the flow channel, first outlet means (7) positioned at the other end of the flow channel for discharging the fluid from the flow channel, the flow of the fluid containing the particles being controlled in such a way that one particle at the time passes a cross section of the flow channel, the member being positioned in a field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel so that particles residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the filed across the flow channel are deflected in the direction of the field. Further, a micro flow system is provided for analyzing components of a fluid comprising a microfabricated member having a flow channel defined herein for guiding a flow of a fluid from the flow channel, first inlet means for entering particles into the flow channel, first outlet means for discharging of fluid from the flow channel and a plurality of assay sites located in the flow channel and comprising immobilized reagents whereby the fluid may be analyzed for a plurality of components while residing in the flow channel.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A micro flow system for separating particles, comprising a member having
a flow channel defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid containing the particles through the flow channel, the flow channel having an inlet end and an outlet end, the particles remaining in the flow channel for a time, and the particles flowing in a path through the channel at a fluid flow rate, the path of flow having a width and a position, first inlet means positioned at the inlet end of the flow channel for entering the fluid into the flow channel, second inlet means for entering a first guiding buffer for controlling cross-section and flow path through the flow channel of the flow of the fluid containing particles, the first guiding buffer having a flow rate, first outlet means positioned at the outlet of the flow channel for discharging the fluid from the flow channel, the flow of the fluid containing the particles being controlled in such a way that one particle at a time passes a cross-section of the flow channel, the member being positioned in a field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel so that particles residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the field across the flow channel are deflected into the first guiding buffer toward the field.
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30. A micro flow system for analyzing components of a fluid, comprising
a member having a flow channel defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid through the flow channel, first inlet means for entering particles into the flow channel, first outlet means for discharging of fluid from the flow channel and a plurality of assay sites located in the flow channel and comprising immobilized reagents whereby the fluid may be analyzed for a plurality of components while residing in the flow channel, and field generating means positioned proximate to at least some of the assay sites for generation of a field proximate to the corresponding assay site whereby reagents residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the field when generated at a selected assay site are attracted to and immobilized at the selected assay site, or, are rejected from the selected assay site.
Specification