Systems and methods for microscopic object handling

A system for handling dispersed microscopic objects contained in a sample fluid, comprising:

• a first microfluidic device comprising a microchannel with an inlet, an outlet and an opening, the opening being located between the inlet and the outlet;
• a conveying device configured to pump a carrier fluid via the inlet into the microchannel with an input volumetric flow rate (Qin) and to remove fluid from the microchannel via the outlet with an output volumetric flow rate (Qout);
• wherein the cross section of the opening is configured such that, if the opening is in the sample fluid, the following conditions are fulfilled:
• a) if the input volumetric flow rate (Qin) is equal to the output volumetric flow rate (Qout), i.e. Qin=Qout, no carrier fluid emerges from the opening into the sample fluid and no sample fluid enters the microchannel,
• b) if the output volumetric flow rate (Qout) is greater than the input volumetric flow rate (Qin), i.e. Qout>Qin, sample fluid enters the microchannel via the opening so that it is embedded as one or more compartments of sample fluid in the flow of the carrier fluid;
• wherein the system is configured for a takeup mode in which, at least intermittently, the output volumetric flow rate (Qout) is greater than the input volumetric flow rate (Qin), i.e. Qout>Qin, so that the system provides a flow of carrier fluid from the inlet through the microchannel and past the opening to the outlet and sequentially takes up one or more compartments of sample fluid into the flow of the carrier fluid with a takeup volumetric flow rate (Qtakeup);
• wherein the system further comprises:
• a first sensor unit for identifying positions of the dispersed objects in the sample fluid, including a position of a target object selected from the dispersed objects;
• and
• a positioning unit configured to position the opening at a target position proximate the position of the target object such that the target object is drawn into the microchannel together with a certain volume of sample fluid and thereby embedded with the sample fluid in the carrier fluid as a compartment.