Dielectrophoresis device and method having non-uniform arrays for manipulating particles

• US 7,419,574 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Cummings, Eric B., Fintschenko, Yolanda, Simmons, Blake
• Primary Examiner(s): OLSEN, KAJ K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vathyam; Surekha
• Application Number:
  US10/760,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 204/547, 204/643, 204/450, 204/600, 209/127.1
• 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: G01N 15/0266 with electrical classification
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/447 using electrophoresis

Abstract

Microfluidic devices according to embodiments of the present invention include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a channel or chamber having a non-uniform array of insulating features on one or more surfaces. Electrodes are provided for generation of a spatially non-uniform electric field across the array. A voltage source, which may be an A.C. and/or a D.C. voltage source may be coupled to the electrodes for the generation of the electric field.

Claims

1. A method for manipulating particles using dielectrophoresis, the method comprising:

passing a sample fluid containing the particles across a non-uniform radial array of insulating features;

generating a spatially non-uniform electric field, the spatially non-uniform electric field exerting a dielectrophoretic force on the particles thereby constraining motion of at least one particle;

trapping at least one particle at a location in the non-uniform array, wherein the location is determined at least in part based on electric and geometrical properties of the particle; and

trapping the particles in a ring around a center of the radial array.