# US 2019/0168237 A1 · Hyper Efficient Separations Device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0168237 A1
- Document ID: US20190168237A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/324,324
- Filed: 2017-08-10
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-10
- Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
- Applicants: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
- Inventors: Mark Hayes; Claire Crowther; Paul Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168237A1

## CPC

- B03C 5/026: {using open-gradient differential dielectric separation, i.e. using electrodes of special shapes for non-uniform field creation, e.g. Fluid Integrated Circuit [FIC]}
- B01L 3/502753: {characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation}
- B03C 5/005: {Dielectrophoresis, i.e. dielectric particles migrating towards the region of highest field strength}
- G01N 15/1023: {Microstructural devices for non-optical measurement}
- G01N 15/1484: {microstructural devices}
- G01N 27/447: using electrophoresis
- G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)}
- B01L 2400/0424: Dielectrophoretic forces
- B01L 2400/086: using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
- G01N 2015/1006: {for cytology}
- B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

The present technology relates to improved device and methods of use of insulator-based dielectrophoresis. This device provides a multi-length scale element that provides enhanced resolution and separation. The device provides improved particle streamlines, trapping efficiency, and induces laterally similar environments. Also provided are methods of using the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hyper-resolution insulator-based dielectrophoresis device for separating an analyte from a fluid, the device comprising:
a fluid flow channel disposed on a substrate, the fluid flow channel being defined by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, at least one fluid inlet, and at least one fluid outlet, the first wall including an insulating flow structure extending toward the second wall thereby defining a constriction in the fluid flow channel between the first wall and the second wall, the insulating flow structure comprising a base section and a plurality of projections extending from the base section toward the second wall;
electrodes in electrical communication with the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet of the fluid flow channel, wherein the electrodes are positioned to generate a spatially non-uniform electric field across the insulating flow structure of the fluid flow channel to exert a dielectrophoretic force on particles suspended in the fluid within the fluid flow chamber, and
a power supply connected to each of the electrodes to generate an electric field within the fluid flow channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the base section is elliptically shaped and the projections are elliptically shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the base section is a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, ellipses, rectangles, squares, triangles, and curves and wherein the projections are a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, ellipses, rectangles, squares, triangles, and curves.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein each projection has a first end at a first junction with the base section and a second end at a second junction with the base section, a length from the first end to the second end being in the range of 50 nm-100 μm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the base section extends from an upstream junction with the first wall to a downstream junction with the first wall, and the projections only extend from the base section over a portion of a distance from the upstream junction to the downstream junction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, wherein the projections only extend from the base section over one half or less of the distance from the upstream junction to the downstream junction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein:
the second wall includes a second insulating flow structure extending toward the first wall thereby further defining the constriction in the fluid flow channel between the first wall and the second wall, the second insulating flow structure comprising a second base section and a second plurality of projections extending from the second base section toward the first wall.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow channel is a microchannel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a cell.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the cell is a human cell.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the cell is a bacterial cell.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a crystal.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a protein.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a microorganism.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a virus.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device provides improved particle streamlines.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device provides enhanced analyte separation and improved resolution.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces or eliminates extraneous trapping zones.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device provides a high ∇||2 as to provide enhanced resolution of analytes.

### Claim 20

A multi-length scale structure for use in an insulator-based dielectrophoresis device for separating at least one analyte from a fluid, the device including a fluid flow channel disposed on a substrate, the fluid flow channel being defined by a first wall, and a second wall spaced from the first wall, the multi-length scale structure comprising:
an insulating flow structure extending from the first wall toward the second wall thereby defining a constriction in the fluid flow channel between the first wall and the second wall, the insulating flow structure comprising a base section and a plurality of projections extending from the base section toward the second wall.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The multi-length scale structure of claim 20, wherein the base section is elliptically shaped and the projections are elliptically shaped.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The device of claim 20, wherein the base section is a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, rectangles, squares, triangles, and curves and wherein the projections are a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, rectangles, squares, triangles, and curves.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The multi-length scale structure of claim 21, wherein each projection has a first end at a first junction with the base section and a second end at a second junction with the base section, a length from the first end to the second end being in the range of 50 nm-100 μm.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The multi-length scale structure of claim 20, wherein the base section extends from an upstream junction with the first wall to a downstream junction with the first wall, and the projections only extend from the base section over a portion of a distance from the upstream junction to the downstream junction.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The multi-length scale structure of claim 22, wherein the projections only extend from the base section over one half or less of the distance from the upstream junction to the downstream junction.

### Claim 26 (depends on 20)

The multi-length scale structure of claim 20, wherein:
the second wall includes a second insulating flow structure extending toward the first wall thereby further defining the constriction in the fluid flow channel between the first wall and the second wall, the second insulating flow structure comprising a second base section and a second plurality of projections extending from the second base section toward the first wall.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

A method of separating a first analyte from at least one second analyte, the method comprising:
(a) providing the device of claim 1; and
(b) transporting a fluid including the first analyte and the second analyte from the fluid inlet through the constriction in the fluid flow channel toward the fluid outlet.