Continuous particle separation apparatus

A method for providing circumferentially consistent axial laminar flow of a sample and a carrier in a split-flow thin separation flow channel comprising the steps of:

• providing a core having a stepped cylindrical shape at an inlet end thereof and having therewithin a sample inlet port and one or more sample dispersion ports in communication with said sample inlet port;
• providing an inlet splitter coaxially around said core, said inlet splitter comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an outer wall and an inner wall and a seating surface on said inner wall and wherein said outer wall terminates in a chamfered tip;
• providing a flow distributor comprising a substantially disc-like body having an outer perimeter and a cylindrical opening therein for coaxially mounting on said core of said flow channel, wherein said outer perimeter further comprises a plurality of fluid ports;
• providing one or more O-rings to seat on said seating surface of said inner wall to seal said inner wall around said core;
• providing a sample flow into said core;
• providing a carrier flow into said inlet splitter;
• wherein said sample flows from said sample inlet through said one or more sample dispersion ports in between said core and said inner wall of said inlet splitter, and wherein said carrier flows through said plurality of fluid ports of said flow distributor along said outer wall of said inlet splitter, and wherein said carrier and said sample flow in steady laminar flow upon passing said chamfered tip.