# US 9,039,883 B2 · Method and apparatus for manipulating single cells and small aggregates thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,883 B2 - Document ID: US9039883B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/302,128 - Filed: 2007-05-31 - Published: 2009-11-26 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-31 - Assignees: Cellply S.R.L. - Applicants: Roberto Guerrieri; Massimo Bocchi - Inventors: Roberto Guerrieri; Massimo Bocchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039883B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids} - B03C 5/005: {Dielectrophoresis, i.e. dielectric particles migrating towards the region of highest field strength} - B03C 5/026: {using open-gradient differential dielectric separation, i.e. using electrodes of special shapes for non-uniform field creation, e.g. Fluid Integrated Circuit [FIC]} - G01N 27/44782: {of a plurality of samples} - G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)} - B01L 2200/14: Process control and prevention of errors - B01L 2300/0893: having a very large number of wells, microfabricated wells - B01L 2400/0424: Dielectrophoretic forces - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A well, in particular an open well (14) with an upper end having a vertical axis (101), for containing a liquid and particles contained within said liquid, characterized by comprising at least two manipulation electrodes (1, 2, 3, 31, 32, 36, 17, 40, 41) able to be powered by electrical voltages, in particular alternating electrical voltages, so as to manoeuvre particles within the well by means of the dielectrophoretic effect. A platform comprising a plurality of wells as described above and a method for using said well. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structure including at least one microwell and a channel, the at least one microwell comprising: a dielectric material forming at least one lateral wall that delimits the at least one microwell and extends between an upper end and a lower end, the at least one microwell open at the upper and open at the lower end, the at least one microwell configured to retain a first volume of a liquid and particles contained within the liquid, such that the first volume of the liquid forms a meniscus at one of the upper end and the lower end when retained in the at least one microwell; and at least two manipulation electrodes within the dielectric material such that each manipulation electrode at least partially defines the at least one lateral wall, the manipulation electrodes able to be powered by electrical voltages so as to produce dielectrophoretic manipulation of particles in the at least one microwell; wherein the channel includes an inlet and an outlet and is configured to allow at least a second volume of the liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet, and wherein an axis extending from the inlet to the outlet, along the direction of liquid flow within the channel, is oriented perpendicularly to a central axis of symmetry of the well, the central axis of symmetry extending from the upper end to the lower end, and wherein the channel is in direct fluid communication with the one of the upper end and the lower end of the at least one microwell that is opposite the end at which the meniscus forms, and wherein the channel is configured such that the liquid may flow directly between the channel and the microwell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the meniscus is disposed at the upper end of the at least one microwell, and wherein the channel is disposed at the lower end of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the manipulation electrodes comprise plates of conducting material substantially disposed in different planes transverse to the central axis of symmetry of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the manipulation electrodes face each other across a lateral wall delimiting the at least one microwell, the lateral wall comprising a dielectric material in which the manipulation electrodes are embedded. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the lateral wall delimiting the at least one microwell has a hydrophilic surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the lateral wall delimiting the at least one microwell has a hydrophobic surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein a wall external to the at least one microwell and adjacent to the at least one microwell lateral wall has a hydrophilic surface and the at least one microwell lateral wall has a hydrophobic surface; or the wall external to the at least one microwell and adjacent to the at least one microwell lateral wall has a hydrophobic surface and the at least one microwell lateral wall has a hydrophilic surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the manipulation electrodes forms an annular rim along the delimiting wall of the at least one microwell, the rim being disposed substantially in a plane transverse to the central axis of symmetry of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one microwell includes at least three electrodes disposed in parallel planes, forming the annular rim. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, further comprising at least one pair of electrodes disposed in the same plane transverse to the central axis of symmetry of the at least one microwell, forming two annular rim portions along the delimiting wall of the at least one microwell separated from each other by a surface parallel to the central axis of symmetry of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The structure of claim 10, further comprising an electrode forming a second annular rim disposed in a different transverse plane than the pair of electrodes, the second annular rim disposed towards the upper end of the at least one microwell with respect to the pair of electrodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The structure of claim 10, comprising two pairs of electrodes disposed in two different planes transverse to the central axis of symmetry of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, further comprising sensors for measuring physical and/or chemical characteristics of at least one microwell contents, wherein the sensors are of impedimetric, optical or potentiometric type. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The structure of claim 13 wherein the sensors of impedimetric type comprise a pair of measurement electrodes configured to measure impedance, the measurement electrodes suitable for displacing particles contained in the at least one microwell and/or to induce electroporation or fusion reactions if suitably powered. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the meniscus is disposed at the lower end of the at least one microwell, and wherein the channel is disposed at the upper end of the at least one microwell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the manipulation electrodes is able to also function as a sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1 comprising a plurality of channels, each of the channels coupled to a plurality of microwells.