Methods and devices for analysis of defined multicellular combinations
AssigneeFluidigm Corporation
InventorsJason A. A. West, Brian Fowler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for cell analysis are provided, comprising cell capturing, characterization, transport, and culture. In an exemplary method individual cells (and/or cellular units) are flowed into a microfluidic channel, the channel is partitioned into a plurality of contiguous segments, capturing at least one cell in at least one segment. A characteristic of one or more captured cells is determined and the cell(s) and combinations of cells are transported to specified cell holding chamber(s) based on the determined characteristic(s). Also provided are devices and systems for cell analysis.
Claims29
-52. (canceled)
A chamber in a microfluidic device that is configured for receiving and maintaining live cells, the chamber comprising:
- an input channel configured so that nucleated eukaryotic cells can pass intact through the input channel and into the chamber;
- a plurality of four or more drain channels configured so that fluid but not nucleated eukaryotic cells can exit the chamber;
- and
- a gas permeable membrane separating the chamber from a supply channel, wherein the supply channel is configured to bring a gaseous mixture to the chamber, and the gas permeable membrane is configured so that gasses may be exchanged between the chamber and the supply channel.
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-64. (canceled)
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-76. (canceled)
-124. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.