Positionally assisted negative particle rejection (PANR) to sort and enrich target cells of interest

A method for sorting or enriching a target particle of interest in a fluid sample comprising:

• providing a Positionally Assisted Negative particle Rejection (PANR) system comprising:
• a flow channel having an interrogation zone and an end that bifurcates into a collection channel and rejection channel, wherein the rejection channel comprises a valve;
• a positioning device that positions particles in the flow channel such that when the valve is open, the particles in the flow channel will flow into the rejection channel but not into the collection channel;
• a detection device that interrogates particles within the interrogation zone, wherein the detection device is in communication with the valve;
• wherein detection of a target particle of interest within the interrogation zone by the detection device results in the valve closing, forcing the target particle of interest to flow into the collection channel;
• delivering the fluid sample to the flow channel for interrogation and collection;
• collecting the contents of the collection channel;
• delivering the collected contents of the collection channel back to the flow channel;
• and
• performing subsequent rounds of interrogation and collection until a desired level of sorting and/or enrichment has been reached.