Method and apparatus for sorting particles

• US 8,408,399 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cytonome/St, Llc (Cytonome Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sebastian Bohm
• Inventors: Gilbert, John R., Deshpande, Manish, Bhm, Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Joseph C
• Application Number:
  US13/158,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20120006727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 209/155, 209/552, 209/576, 209/906
• US Class Current: 209/552
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 5/00 Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating separating by pneumatic tables or by pneumatic jigs B03B4/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 5/00 Manufacture of fluid circuit elements; Manufacture of assemblages of such elements integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0028 Valves having multiple inlets or outlets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0046 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0048 using piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0061 actuated by an expanding gas or liquid volume
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/14 Optical investigation techniques, e.g. flow cytometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/906 Pneumatic or liquid stream feeding item
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/932 Fluid applied to items

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Claims

1. A method of sorting small particles, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of substantially parallel closed ducts each having an inlet and a fork at which the respective duct separates into two branch ducts;

conducting a stream of liquid into each duct inlet with a stream of particles suspended therein, the particle stream normally flowing through a respective first one of the branch ducts;

surrounding the stream of liquid in each of the plurality of ducts with a particle free enveloping current of liquid to produce substantially laminar flow;

providing a measurement station along each respective closed duct upstream of the fork for sensing a predetermined property of particles in the stream and for producing a signal when the property is sensed;

providing an actuator associated with each of the closed ducts for applying a pressure to the liquid; and

providing means for buffering pressure variations in the liquid in each of the plurality of ducts, the pressure buffering means co-operating with the respective actuator to result in a momentary deflection of a specific particle having the predetermined property in the liquid streaming through the respective duct substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of flow from the point where the pressure is applied towards the point where the pressure is buffered, causing the specific particle having the predetermined property to flow into the respective second branch duct without eliminating the laminar flow.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure buffering means co-operates with the respective actuator to selectively absorb a transient pressure pulse applied to the liquid streaming through the respective duct.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pressure buffering means is in liquid communication with the respective duct.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator applies the pressure to the liquid based on the signal produced by the respective measurement station.

5. A method of sorting small particles, the method comprising:

flowing a liquid stream through a plurality of substantially parallel ducts each separating into a first branch duct and a second branch duct at a fork, the liquid stream including one or more particles suspended therein, the liquid stream normally flowing through the respective first branch duct;

enveloping the liquid stream with a particle-free enveloping current of liquid to produce a substantially laminar flow in each of the plurality of substantially parallel ducts;

sensing a predetermined property of the particles in the liquid stream along each of the plurality of substantially parallel ducts;

applying, in each of the plurality of substantially parallel ducts, a transient pressure pulse to the liquid in response to sensing the predetermined property; and

buffering the transient pressure pulse of each of the plurality of substantially parallel ducts;

wherein the application of the transient pressure pulse and the buffering of the transient pressure pulse cause a momentary deflection of a specific particle having the predetermined property in the liquid stream, the momentary deflection deflecting the specific particle substantially perpendicularly to the normal direction of flow from the point where the transient pressure pulse is applied towards the point where the transient pressure pulse is buffered, causing the specific particle having the predetermined property to flow into the respective second branch duct without eliminating the laminar flow.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined property of the particles is sensed using a measurement station provided along the respective duct.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the transient pressure pulse is applied to the liquid using an actuator in the respective duct.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the transient pressure pulse is buffered using a pressure buffering means that absorbs the transient pressure pulse.