Microfluidic device

A microfluidic device for separating particulates that have a major dimension above a predetermined threshold value from a fluid, the device comprising a plurality of layers, each layer within the plurality of layers comprising an inlet, an inlet channel, a curved channel, a separation chamber, a first outlet and a second outlet;

• the inlet is connected to the inlet channel, the inlet channel is connected to the curved channel, the curved channel is connected to the separation chamber and the separation chamber is connected to the first outlet by a first outlet channel, and the separation chamber is connected to the second outlet by a second outlet channel;
• the first outlet channel comprises a sinusoidal/serpentine portion;
• wherein the second outlet channel branches from the separation chamber substantially perpendicular to the first outlet channel;
• the curved channel having an angle of curvature of 150 to 270 degrees;
• wherein the aspect ratio of the inlet channel is from 10 to 20, the aspect ratio of the curved channel is from 5 to 10, and the aspect ratio of first outlet channel is from 1.5 to 6;
• the inlet of each layer within the plurality of layers is in fluid communication with a common inlet manifold, the first outlet of each layer within the plurality of layers being in fluid communication with a common first outlet manifold, and the second the inlet of each layer within the plurality of layers being in fluid communication with a common second outlet manifold;
• such that, during use, fluid flows from the common inlet manifold to the common first outlet manifold and the common second outlet manifold via the inlet, inlet channel, the curved channel, the separation chamber and the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel of each layer within the plurality of layers;
• wherein for each layer within the plurality of layers particulates within the fluid at the inlet that have a major dimension above the predetermined threshold value are substantially focussed into the second outlet and the fluid that is collected at the first outlet is substantially free of particulates that have a major dimension above the predetermined threshold value.