Microfluidic device

A method of separating particles of interest into at least two collection bins, access to a specific collection bin being determined by size, the method comprising:

• providing a rotatable substrate comprising a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising:
• a sorting chamber, the sorting chamber comprising an inlet through which a fluid comprising particles of interest may operably be introduced, a segmented bias rail defining a plurality of apertures that determine dimensions of specific particles of interest that may pass through the segmented rail into individual ones of a plurality of collection bins positioned radially outwardly of the rail;
• the segmented bias rail being inclined relative to the direction of the centrifugal force produced by rotating the substrate;
• wherein access to individual ones of the plurality of collection bins is determined by dimensions of the apertures defined by the rail, each of the apertures providing an inlet for a corresponding collection bin and the dimensions of the apertures determine the size of particles of interest that may pass through a specific aperture and into a corresponding collection bin, the dimensions of the apertures increase with increased radial distance away from the axis of rotation such that operably particles of interest of a first size will be collected in a first collection bin provided proximal to the axis of rotation and particles of interest of a second size will be collected in a second collection bin provided distal to the axis of rotation, the first size being smaller than the second size;
• introducing a fluid comprising particles of interest into the inlet of the sorting chamber;
• rotating the substrate to provide a centrifugal force that propels the particles of interest from a location proximal an axis of rotation of the substrate towards a circumference of the substrate;
• allowing individual groups of particles of interest to migrate through the segmented rail into specific ones of the plurality of collection bins, wherein each of the apertures provide an inlet for a corresponding collection bin and the dimensions of the apertures determine the size of particles of interest that may pass through a specific aperture and into the collection bin, wherein the dimensions of the apertures increase with increased radial distance away from the axis of rotation,
• the method further comprising:
• collecting particles of interest of a first size in a first collection bin provided proximal to the axis of rotation and particles of interest of a second size in a second collection bin provided distal to the axis of rotation, the first size being smaller than the second size.