Focusing of microparticles in microfluidic systems
AssigneeCaliper Technologies Corp.
InventorsH. Garrett Wada, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Marja Liisa Alajoki, J. Wallace Parce, Benjamin N. Wang, Andrea W. Chow, Robert S. Dubrow
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Abstract
Methods and systems for particle focusing to increase assay throughput in microscale systems are provided. The invention includes methods for providing substantially uniform flow velocity to flowing particles in microfluidic devices. Methods of sorting members of particle populations, such as cells and various subcellular components are also provided. Integrated systems in which particles are focused and/or sorted are additionally included.
Claims35
A method of focusing and detecting particles flowing in a first microchannel, the method comprising:
- flowing the particles in a sample fluid in the first microchannel;
- focusing the particles in the first microchannel by introducing a fluid into the first microchannel from only one of one or more second microchannels such that the particles are directed towards a first side of at least opposing first and second sides of the first microchannel;
- directing an interrogating light beam into the focused sample fluid at a location on the first side of the first microchannel;
- and
- detecting the particles in the focused sample fluid using the interrogating light beam.
A method of focusing particles flowing in a first microchannel comprising:
- flowing the particles in the first microchannel;
- focusing the particles horizontally or vertically in the first microchannel by introducing a fluid into the first microchannel from only one of one or more second microchannels such that the particles are directed towards a first side of at least opposing first and second sides of the first microchannel;
- and
- focusing the particles vertically or horizontally in the first microchannel towards the second side of the at least first and second opposing sides of the first microchannel by introducing fluid flow into the first microchannel from a third microchannel located downstream from the one or more second microchannels.
A method of focusing particles flowing in a first microchannel comprising:
- flowing the particles in a first fluid in the first microchannel, the first fluid having a first fluid density;
- focusing the particles horizontally or vertically in the microchannel by introducing a second fluid into the first microchannel from at least one second microchannel, the second fluid having a second fluid density which is different from said first fluid density;
- and
- introducing a third fluid into said first microchannel from a third microchannel which opposes said second microchannel, said third fluid having a third fluid density which is different from said second fluid density.
A method of sorting and detecting members of at least one particle population, the method comprising:
- flowing the members of the at least one particle population in a sample fluid in a first microchannel;
- focusing the members of the at least one particle population towards at least a first side of the first microchannel by introducing a fluid into the first microchannel from only one of one or more second microchannels;
- directing an interrogating light beam into the focused sample fluid at a location on the first side of the first microchannel to thereby detect the particles in the focused sample fluid using the interrogating light beam;
- and
- directing the particles into at least a third microchannel that intersects with the first microchannel downstream from the one or more second microchannels, thereby sorting the members of the at least one particle population.
A method of focusing particles flowing in a first microchannel and washing a diffusible material from the particles, the method comprising:
- flowing the particles in a sample fluid in the first microchannel,
- focusing the particles towards the center or one side in the first microchannel by introducing a fluid into the first microchannel from at least one second microchannel;
- and
- washing a diffusible material from the particles by introducing a diluent into the first microchannel from at least one third microchannel and removing the resulting diluted diffused product comprising diluent mixed with the diffusible material through at least a fourth microchannel which is located downstream from the at least one third microchannel.
A method of focusing and detecting particles flowing in a first microchannel, the method consisting of:
- flowing the particles in a sample fluid in the first microchannel;
- focusing the particles in the first microchannel by introducing a fluid into the first microchannel from one of one or more second microchannels such that the particles are directed towards a first side of at least opposing first and second sides of the first microchannel;
- directing an interrogating light beam into the focused sample fluid at a location on the first side of the first microchannel;
- and
- detecting the particles in the focused sample fluid using the interrogating light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.