Micro-fluidic device for concentration of particles via centrifugal force, and corresponding centrifugation and/or detection device

A microfluidic device for concentrating and detecting particles contained in a fluid sample, the microfluidic device comprising:

• a substrate configured for being set in rotation with respect to a centre of rotation, the substrate having a surface at which at least one microfluidic arrangement is defined, which extends substantially according to a plane identified by the substrate, wherein the at least one microfluidic arrangement comprises a plurality of microchannels each having a first end and a second end;
• wherein
• each microchannel of the plurality of microchannels comprises, in a region thereof intermediate to the first end and the second end of the microchannel, at least one detection area that is at a first distance in a radial direction with respect to the centre of rotation of the substrate;
• the first end and the second end of each microchannel of the plurality of microchannels are at second distances in the radial direction with respect to the centre of rotation of the substrate;
• the first distance in the radial direction is greater than the second distances in the radial direction,
• wherein the at least one detection area is an area for particle accumulation;
• wherein the at least one microfluidic arrangement comprises a common loading duct or chamber and a common venting duct or chamber, all the microchannels of the plurality of microchannels being fluidically connected to the common loading duct or chamber and to the common venting duct or chamber, all the microchannels of the plurality of microchannels having the respective first ends and second ends fluidically connected in parallel to the common loading duct or chamber and to the common venting duct or chamber, respectively, the common loading duct or chamber being operable for receiving the fluid sample, such that the fluid sample can penetrate from the common loading duct or chamber into all the microchannels of the plurality of microchannels, and air contained in all the microchannels of the plurality of microchannels can progressively be vented at the common venting duct or chamber,
• wherein, in the at least one detection area for particle accumulation, each microchannel of the plurality of microchannels is substantially V-shaped or U-shaped, or comprises two substantially convergent microchannel branches, the at least one detection area of each microchannel of the plurality of microchannels being free of exit ways for the fluid sample,
• in such a way that particles contained in a volume of fluid of the fluid sample that penetrates into at least one microchannel of the plurality of microchannels concentrate in the at least one detection area as a result of the centrifugal force caused by a rotation of the substrate about the centre of rotation.