Massively parallel microfluidic cell analyzer for high throughput mechanophenotyping

A microfluidic device for cell mechanophenotyping, the microfluidic device comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• a first channel in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, the first channel comprising:
• a first upstream zone having a first cross-sectional area in a lateral direction perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow through the first channel;
• a first downstream zone having a second cross-sectional area in the lateral direction;
• and
• a first constriction zone positioned between the first upstream zone and the first downstream zone and having a third cross-sectional area in the lateral direction, the third cross-sectional area being less than each of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area;
• a second channel arranged in parallel with the first channel and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, the second channel comprising:
• a second upstream zone having a fourth cross-sectional area in the lateral direction;
• a second downstream zone having a fifth cross-sectional area in the lateral direction;
• and
• a second constriction zone positioned between the second upstream zone and the second downstream zone and having a sixth cross-sectional area in the lateral direction, the sixth cross-sectional area being less than each of the fourth cross-sectional area and the fifth cross-sectional area;
• a first sensor pair positioned along the first channel, the first sensor pair comprising:
• a first entry sensor positioned along the first upstream zone and configured to detect a first cell flowing through the first upstream zone;
• and
• a first exit sensor positioned along the first downstream zone and configured to detect the first cell flowing through the first downstream zone;
• and
• a second sensor pair positioned along the second channel, the second sensor pair comprising:
• a second entry sensor positioned along the second upstream zone and configured to detect a second cell flowing through the second upstream zone;
• and
• a second exit sensor positioned along the second downstream zone and configured to detect the second cell flowing through the second downstream zone;
• wherein the first entry sensor comprises a first plurality of electrodes having a first electrode configuration, wherein the first exit sensor comprises a second plurality of electrodes having the first electrode configuration, wherein the second entry sensor comprises a third plurality of electrodes having a second electrode configuration different from the first electrode configuration, and wherein the second exit sensor comprises a fourth plurality of electrodes having the second electrode configuration;
• wherein having the second electrode configuration different from the first electrode configuration enables assignment of a unique identifier to each of the first channel and the second channel.