Sorting Of Microdevices
AssigneeArrayomics, Inc.
InventorDavid Rothwarf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Particles or other microdevices are disposed in an array having discreet regions (e.g. magnetic bars), oriented within a magnetic field, and then sorted through application of a removing force under conditions that remove a proper subset of the microdevices from the array as a function of differing orientations of the microdevices. Methods are also contemplated for using magnetic patterns to sort collections of microdevices by magnetic complementarity. Preferred methods use a capture and release process to sort microdevices (microdevices), and unlike conventional sorters, do not require high particle flow rates. Also contemplated are microdevice libraries in which microdevices have mutually distinct magnetic codes, and a region with a mutually distinct polymeric or other chemical moiety.
Claims26
A method of sorting microdevices, comprising:
- providing an array having discrete regions that exert magnetic forces;
- using the magnetic forces to orient the microdevices with respect to the regions;
- and
- applying a removing force to the oriented microdevices under conditions that remove a proper subset of the microdevices from the array as a function of differing orientations of the microdevices.
A method of sorting, comprising:
- using microdevices that have a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization, and that utilize a magnetic coding space that can support at least 10 choices;
- and
- using a magnetic force to orient the microdevices.
A method of sorting:
- positioning a set of microdevices on an array;
- applying a magnetic field to the microdevices in a manner that alters magnetic interactions of a subset of the microdevices with the array;
- and
- selectively removing the subset of microdevices from the array.
A method of performing combinatorial chemistry, comprising:
- providing a plurality of magnetically orientable microdevices, each of which includes a chemically reactive site, and each of which includes a magnetic code;
- using magnetic orientation of the microdevices to divide the microdevices into at least first and second sets;
- performing different reactions at the reactive sites of the microdevices in the first and second sets, and then recombining at least portions of the first and second sets of microdevices;
- using magnetic orientation of the microdevices to divide dividing the microdevices from the recombined first and second sets into at least third and fourth sets;
- and
- performing different reactions at the reactive sites of the microdevices in the third and fourth sets, and then recombining at least portions of the third and fourth sets of microdevices.
A method of displaying, comprising:
- proving a set of microdevices, different ones of which include different magnetic codes;
- providing an array having a first and second arraying sites that complement different ones of the magnetic codes,
- adding the microdevices to the array;
- and
- applying an external magnetic field to the array such that distinct subsets of the microdevices select to the first and second sites, respectively.
A library comprising first, second and third microdevices, each of which has a mutually distinct magnetic code, and a region with a mutually distinct chemical moiety.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.