Particle manipulation system with multisort valve and focusing element

A micromechanical particle manipulation device, comprising:

• a sample inlet channel formed in a material, and through which a fluid flows, the fluid including target particles and non-target material, wherein the flow in the sample inlet channel is substantially in a single plane,
• a particle focusing element coupled to the sample inlet channel, wherein the particle focusing element is configured to urge the target particles into a particular region of the sample inlet channel, wherein the focusing element comprises a first portion with a variable cross section which urges particles into at least one locus in a particular portion of the cross section, and a second portion with a substantially uniform cross section;
• and wherein the focusing element further comprises a bend that rotates the at least one locus to a second different portion of the cross section, and wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the bend together concentrate the target particles into a single locus within the sample inlet channel;
• and
• a microfabricated sorting device that manipulates the target particles concentrated in the particular region of the sample inlet channel, wherein the microfabricated sorting device has a first diverting surface, wherein the movable member moves from a first position to a second position in response to a force applied to the movable member, wherein the motion is substantially in another plane parallel to the surface of the substrate;
• a sample inlet channel formed in the substrate and through which a fluid flows, the fluid including target particles and non-target material, wherein the flow in the sample inlet channel is substantially parallel to the surface;
• and
• a plurality of output channels including a sort output channel into which the microfabricated member diverts the target particles, and a waste output channel into which the non-target material flows, and wherein the flow in waste output channel is substantially orthogonal to the plane, and wherein the waste output channel is located directly below at least a portion of the microfabricated member over at least a portion of its motion.