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US 12,179,202 B2Granted
Microfluidic sorting devices and methods
AssigneeEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory
InventorsChristoph A. Merten, Daniel Frenzel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of microfluidics and in particular to devices and methods for sorting objects in microfluidic channels. These devices and methods allow for fast and robust sorting in two-way and multi-way setups. They also enable sorting over extended periods of time.
Claims20
A method for sorting an object, comprising the steps of
- (i) feeding an object into the microfluidic device comprising at least one sorting junction comprising (i) one stem channel, (ii) at least two branch channels, and (iii) an electrode pair,
- (ii) detecting a signal emitted from the object,
- (iii) switching on the electrode pair of the at least one sorting junction of the microfluidic device,
- (iv) passing the object across the at least one sorting junction, whereby the object enters one branch channel depending on the signal detected,
- wherein the electrode pair consists of a power electrode and a ground electrode, and wherein the power electrode of the electrode pair is located between the ground electrode and the stem channel and optionally a branch channel of the at least two branch channels.
2 more elements
A method for sorting an object, comprising:
- (i) feeding an object into the microfluidic device comprising at least one sorting junction comprising (i) one stem channel, (ii) at least two branch channels, and (iii) an electrode pair,
- (ii) detecting a signal emitted from the object,
- (iii) switching on the electrode pair of the at least one sorting junction of the microfluidic device,
- (iv) passing the object across the at least one sorting junction, whereby the object enters one branch channel depending on the signal detected,
- wherein at least a length section of both electrodes of the electrode pair runs parallel to at least a part of the one stem channel up to and along at least a part of one of the at least two branch channels.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.