Method for trapping, manipulating, and separating cells and cellular components utilizing a particle trap

Abstract

A method for trapping, separating, manipulating and controlling particles and molecules of biological origin is disclosed. The method comprises containing the particles or molecules of biological origin in a vacuum, projecting a beam of light onto the particles, inducing the beam of light to impart a spinning motion to the particles, inducing the beam of light to impart a dipole moment to the particles, generating a field density gradient in the vacuum, trapping the particles in the team of light, concentrating the particles at a focal plane of the beam, and, then manipulating the particles by a second beam of light. Particles are caused to spin and interact with the energy gradient of the beam of light, causing them to orbit in a controlled manner. The particles and molecules of biological origin include bacteria, viruses, cells, organelles, chromosomes, and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.