Method for continuous particle separation using obstacle arrays asymmetrically aligned to fields
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorsLotien Richard Huang, James Christopher Sturm, Robert Hamilton Austin
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and devices for separating particles according to size. More specifically, the present invention relates to a microfluidic method and device for the separation of particles according to size using an array comprising a network of gaps, wherein the field flux from each gap divides unequally into subsequent gaps. In one embodiment, the array comprises an ordered array of obstacles in a microfluidic channel, in which the obstacle array is asymmetric with respect to the direction of an applied field.
Claims26
A microfluidic device for concentrating particles, having at least a predetermined critical size, the device comprising:
- a microfluidic channel,
- an array of obstacles within said microfluidic channel, and a boundary, wherein the device employs a field that propels particles through the microfluidic channel and said array of obstacles is asymmetric with respect to the average direction of the field, such that, when particles are introduced into the array, particles having a size less than a predetermined critical size are transported in a first direction, and particles having a size at least that of the critical size are transported in a second direction to the boundary, and wherein the first and second directions are different, thereby concentrating the particles having a size at least that of the critical size.
A method comprising:
- introducing particles into a microfluidic channel comprising an array of obstacles within said microfluidic channel, and a boundary, wherein the device employs a field that propels particles through said microfluidic channel and said array of obstacles is asymmetric with respect to the average direction of the field, such that, when particles are introduced into said array of obstacles, particles having a size less than a predetermined critical size are transported in a first direction, and particles having a size at least that of the critical size are transported in a second direction to the boundary, and wherein the first and second directions are different, thereby concentrating or separating the particles having a size at least that of the critical size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.