Particle separator system, materials, and methods of use

A flowcell cartridge comprising a planar substrate, said planar substrate comprising:

• (i) an upper surface and a lower surface;
• (ii) a first longitudinal side forming an imaging surface;
• (iii) a second longitudinal side forming an illumination surface;
• and
• (iv) a first and second transverse side;
• (v) an inlet well on an upper surface;
• (vi) an inlet channel;
• (vii) a sample processing channel in fluidic communication with the inlet channel and positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal side;
• (viii) a sample splitter within the processing channel;
• (ix) a plurality of outlet channels in fluidic communication with the processing channel;
• and
• (x) a plurality of collection wells in fluidic communication with each of the plurality of outlet channels;
• wherein the substrate optionally comprises an optically transparent material and wherein the processing channel is offset within the plane of the of the substrate to be spatially biased to the imaging surface;
• optionally wherein the substrate is comprised of nonferrous metal, ceramic, glass, polymer, or plastic;
• and
• optionally wherein if the substrate comprises one or more layers, the substrate and planar layer may be comprised of the same or different material.

A flowcell cartridge comprising a planar substrate, said planar substrate comprising:

• (i) an inlet well on an upper surface;
• (ii) an inlet channel;
• (iii) a sample processing channel;
• (iv) a sample splitter within the processing channel;
• (v) a plurality of outlet channels in fluidic communication with the processing channel;
• and
• (vi) a plurality of collection wells in fluidic communication with each of the plurality of outlet channels;
• wherein the substrate comprises an optically transparent material and wherein the combined volume each of the plurality of outlet channels is greater than the volume of the processing channel;
• optionally wherein the substrate is comprised of nonferrous metal, ceramic, glass, polymer, or plastic;
• and
• optionally wherein if the substrate comprises one or more layers, the substrate and planar layer may be comprised of the same or different material.

A cell separation system comprising:

• a receiving block for retaining a flowcell cartridge;
• an optical system comprising an optical sensor, a lens, and an illumination source, and
• a plurality of flow modulation components,
• wherein the receiving block removably places the flowcell cartridge in optical alignment with the optical system, removably engages a magnetic component adjacent to the processing channel of the flow cell, and removably places a plurality of outlet channels of the flowcell cartridge in fluidic communication with the plurality of flow modulation components.