Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular separation with laser steering

A system to identify at least one selected component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, wherein the system comprises

• a plurality of first channels into which a first flow is introduced, the first flow which contains the plurality of components;
• a plurality of buffer channels associated with each of the plurality of the first channels into which at least an additional flow of buffer solution is introduced;
• the plurality of buffer channels which are disposed on at least one side of each of the plurality of the first channels;
• and
• wherein a flow rate regulator or a plurality of flow rate regulators controls and maintains the flow rate of the first flow in the plurality of channels and the additional flow in the plurality of buffer channels, and
• wherein the flow rate regulator or a plurality of flow rate regulators maintains a differential flow rate between the first flow in the plurality of channels and the additional flow in the plurality of buffer channels that aligns the plurality of components in the first flow;
• and
• wherein the selected component and unselected component exit the system through the first channel.

A method for examining and selectively operating on cells comprising:

• inputting a stream of sample fluid into an inlet adapted to receive the sample fluid into an input region of a flow chamber, the sample fluid containing cells to be processed;
• inputting a plurality of streams of buffer fluids into a plurality of inlets adapted to receive the plurality of streams of buffer fluids into regions of the flow chamber;
• wherein the stream of sample fluid is in a contiguous relationship on all available sides with the buffer fluids from the input region through to a selective operation region of the flow chamber;
• constricting the stream of sample fluid, thereby narrowing the stream of sample fluid in a detector region and/or the selective operation region, the narrowing of the stream aligning the cells,
• wherein the constricting comprises a differential flow rate between the sample fluid and the buffer fluid that exerts a lateral force on the sample fluid,
• distinguishing target cells from non-target cells in the detector region using a detector apparatus;
• damaging or destroying the target cells in the stream of sample fluid using a laser beam, in the selective operation region of the flow chamber which is disposed downstream from the detector region;
• and
• wherein the target cells and non-target cells exit together through the selective operation region.

A method for examining and selectively operating on cells comprising:

• inputting a stream of sample fluid into an inlet adapted to receive the sample fluid into an input region of a flow chamber, the sample fluid containing cells to be processed;
• inputting a plurality of streams of buffer fluids into a plurality of inlets adapted to receive the plurality of streams of buffer fluids into regions of the flow chamber;
• wherein the stream of sample fluid is in a contiguous relationship on all available sides with the buffer fluids from the input region through to a selective operation region of the flow chamber;
• constricting the stream of sample fluid, thereby narrowing the stream of sample fluid in a detector region and/or the selective operation region, the narrowing of the stream aligning the cells,
• wherein the constricting comprises a physical narrowing of the diameter in the detector region and/or the selective operation region that exerts a lateral force on the sample fluid upon entry into the detector region and/or the selective operation region,
• distinguishing target cells from non-target cells in the detector region using a detector apparatus;
• damaging or destroying the target cells in the stream of sample fluid using a laser beam, in the selective operation region of the flow chamber which is disposed downstream from the detector region;
• and
• wherein the target cells and non-target cells exit together through the selective operation region.