# US 9,518,956 B2 · Particle concentration system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,956 B2 - Document ID: US9518956B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/809,992 - Filed: 2015-07-27 - Published: 2016-01-28 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-06 - Assignees: University of Washington - Applicants: University of Washington - Inventors: Jae-Hyun Chung; Woonhong Yeo; Kyong-Hoon Lee; Jeffrey W. Chamberlain; Gareth Fotouhi; Shieng Liu; Kie Seok Oh; Daniel M. Ratner; Dayong Gao; Fong-Li Chou - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518956B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)} - G01N 1/40: Concentrating samples - G01N 27/447: using electrophoresis - G01N 27/44721: {by optical means} - G01N 27/4473: {by electric means} - G01N 33/569: for microorganisms, e.g. protozoa, bacteria, viruses - G01N 2001/4038: {electric methods, e.g. electromigration, electrophoresis, ionisation} - 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 Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A particle concentrating system, comprising: (a) a first electrode having a high aspect ratio, wherein the first electrode comprises a shaft having a shaft latitudinal dimension and a distal end having a distal latitudinal dimension, wherein the distal latitudinal dimension is from one nanometer to one millimeter; (b) an actuator configured to immerse and withdraw the first electrode from the first liquid such that a capillary force formed between the withdrawing first electrode and the first liquid immobilizes the first particle on a surface of the first electrode; and (c) an electric signal generator configured to generate an electrically induced force through the first electrode such that when the first electrode is immersed in a first liquid, a first particle in the first liquid is preferentially urged toward the first electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising the first liquid comprising the first particle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a doped semiconductor, and a conductive polymer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbide nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft latitudinal dimension of the first electrode is less than one millimeter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a diameter to length aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:100. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft is at least partially coated with a surface coating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the surface coating is selected from the group consisting of a monolayer and a polymer layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the surface coating enhances the immobilization of the first particle on the first electrode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the surface coating comprises a first binding partner and the particle comprises a second binding partner capable of binding to the first binding partner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the first binding partner is a first nucleic acid and the second binding partner is a second nucleic acid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the first binding partner is a nucleic acid and the second binding partner is a protein. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the first binding partner is configured to bind to a second binding partner that is a cell, a cell membrane, or an organelle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the electric signal generator configured to generate an electrically induced force selected from the group consisting of electrophoresis, electroosmosis, dielectrophoresis, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode configured to contact the first liquid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the electric signal generator is configured to provide an alternating current. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to withdraw the first electrode from the first solution at a rate of 1 μm/sec to 10 mm/sec. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a third electrode having a high aspect ratio, wherein the third electrode comprises a shaft having a shaft latitudinal dimension and a distal end having a distal latitudinal dimension, wherein the distal latitudinal dimension is from one nanometer to one millimeter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a particle analysis component. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the particle analysis component is configured to perform a method selected from the group consisting of electrical, mechanical, optical, surface-imaging techniques, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the particle analysis component is a luminescence detection component. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the luminescence detection component is a fluorescence detection component. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the particle analysis component is an electrical detection component configured to measure a characteristic selected from the group consisting of capacitance, resistance, conductance, impedance, and combinations thereof.