System and method for determining dielectrophoresis crossover frequencies
AssigneeApocell, Inc.
InventorsAnoop Menachery, Ronald Pethig
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Abstract
The present invention provides a new method for accurately identifying DEP cross-over frequencies of one or more particles in a sample, and quickly and efficiently conveying that information to assist in the separation, e.g., DEP separation, or analysis of the one of more particles under examination or investigation. The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for monitoring the dielectrophoretic response of one or more particles and determining the DEP cross-over frequency of particles of interest.
Claims13
A method for determining a dielectrophoretic cross-over frequency of a target particle comprising:
- applying an electric field from a source to a sample containing a target particle;
- identifying a path of movement of the particle away from an electric field source that comprises an electrode;
- adjusting the electric field so that the particle approximately pauses movement;
- adjusting the electric field so that the particle changes direction and moves generally toward the electric field source, wherein the path of movement of the particle creates a reflex angle of from about 270 degrees to about 360 degrees with respect to the electrode;
- recording an image of the path of movement of the particle;
- tracing the path of movement of the particle on the image so as to measure the reflex angle;
- and
- identifying the frequency of dielectrophoretic cross-over of the particle.
A method for determining a dielectrophoretic cross-over frequency of a target particle comprising:
- applying an electric field from a source to a sample containing a target particle;
- identifying a path of movement of the particle away from an electric field source;
- adjusting the electric field so that the particle approximately pauses movement;
- adjusting the electric field so that the particle changes direction and moves generally toward the electric field source;
- creating a vector displacement diagram of the movement of the particle;
- determining an angular displacement of the movement of the particle and measuring the angular displacement;
- and
- identifying a frequency of dielectrophoretic cross-over of the particle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.