US 6,437,551 B1 · Microfabricated AC impedance sensor

Abstract

A microfabricated instrument for detecting and identifying cells and other particles based on alternating current (AC) impedance measurements. The microfabricated AC impedance sensor includes two critical elements: 1) a microfluidic chip, preferably of glass substrates, having at least one microchannel therein and with electrodes patterned on both substrates, and 2) electrical circuits that connect to the electrodes on the microfluidic chip and detect signals associated with particles traveling down the microchannels. These circuits enable multiple AC impedance measurements of individual particles at high throughput rates with sufficient resolution to identify different particle and cell types as appropriate for environmental detection and clinical diagnostic applications.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A device including at least one microfabricated alternating current (AC) impedance sensor, including:

at least one microfluidic channel for the passage therethrough of particle laden sample fluid,
a first electrode located in the at least one microfluidic channel,
a second electrode located adjacent the microfluidic channel and in spaced relation to said first electrode,
an alternating current source operatively connected to said first and second electrodes, and
means for electrically connecting said first and second electrodes to an impedance measuring circuit,
whereby impedance between the first and second electrode is changed by particles or cells in the sample fluid passing through said microfluidc channel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microfabricated AC impedance sensor

Life of this patent

Microfabricated AC impedance sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22