Microfluidic device for capture of micrometer scale objects and methods of using the device
AssigneeThe Curators of the University of Missouri
InventorsJae Wan Kwon, Jussuf Kaifi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The subject matter described herein relates to devices and methods for capturing micrometer scale objects from a fluid flow, and more particularly, to devices and methods for capturing cells. The devices generally comprise an array of posts configured and arranged to selectively direct the micrometer scale objects toward trapping channels defined between posts in which the micrometer scale objects can be trapped, and to direct smaller particles through bypass channels around the posts. Methods for using the devices to trap cells, analyze cells and treat cancer are also described.
Claims15
A device for capturing micrometer scale objects, said device comprising:
- a chamber comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow comprises one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured and one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- a plurality of posts extending from a base of the chamber and arranged in an array of a plurality of pairs of the posts, wherein each post comprises an arcuate trapping section and an arcuate bypass section;
- a plurality of trapping channels, wherein each trapping channel is defined between the arcuate trapping sections of the posts in each pair of posts, wherein each trapping channel has a width narrower than a diameter of the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- and
- a plurality of bypass channels, wherein each bypass channel is partially defined by the arcuate bypass sections of adjacent posts in the array of posts, wherein each bypass channel has a width wider than the diameter of the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- wherein the array is configured such that when the inlet receives the fluid flow, the fluid flow passes through the bypass channels whereby a curved shape of the bypass channels between the arcuate bypass sections of adjacent posts imparts a first momentum on the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured and a second momentum on the one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured, whereby the one or more micrometer scale object to be captured are separated from the one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured such that the first momentum directs the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured into the trapping channels and
- the second momentum directs the secondary objects away from the trapping channels, whereby at least one of the one or more of the micrometer scale objects to be captured is trapped within the trapping channels formed between the trapping sections of the pairs of posts.
A method for capturing micrometer scale objects, the method comprising directing a fluid flow comprising one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured and one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured through a device for capturing micrometer scale objects, wherein the device comprises:
- a chamber comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow comprises one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured and one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- a plurality of posts extending from a base of the chamber and arranged in an array of a plurality of pairs of the posts, wherein each post comprises an arcuate trapping section and an arcuate bypass section;
- a plurality of trapping channels, wherein each trapping channel is defined between the arcuate trapping sections of the posts in each pair of posts, wherein each trapping channel has a width narrower than a diameter of the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- a plurality of bypass channels, wherein each bypass channel is partially defined by the arcuate bypass sections of adjacent posts in the array of posts, wherein each bypass channel has a width wider than the diameter of the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured;
- wherein the array is configured such that when the inlet receives the fluid flow, the fluid flow passes through the bypass channels whereby a curved shape of the bypass channels between the arcuate bypass sections of adjacent posts imparts a first momentum on the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured and a second momentum on the one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured, whereby the one or more micrometer scale object to be captured are separated from the one or more micrometer scale objects that are smaller than the micrometer scale objects to be captured such that the first momentum directs the one or more micrometer scale objects to be captured into the trapping channels and directs the secondary objects away from the trapping channels, whereby at least one of the one or more of the micrometer scale objects to be captured is trapped within the trapping channels formed between the trapping sections of the pairs of posts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.