Devices and method for enrichment and alteration of cells and other particles

A method of producing a sample enriched in particles of a specific type from a liquid sample, the method comprising

• obtaining a liquid sample comprising particles of the specific type;
• decreasing a hydrodynamic size of the particles of the specific type in the liquid sample;
• and
• flowing the liquid sample through a channel under laminar flow conditions, wherein the channel comprises an inlet, an array of obstacles that form a network of gaps, and first and second outlets, wherein any particles in the liquid sample passing into the inlet and through the network of gaps are divided unequally into a major flux and a minor flux so that particles having a hydrodynamic size above a critical size are displaced laterally in the network of gaps to the first outlet and particles having a hydrodynamic size below the critical size are not displaced laterally in the network of gaps and flow to the second outlet, wherein the specific type of particles having an altered hydrodynamic size are directed selectively to either the first outlet or the second outlet, thereby producing a sample enriched in particles of the specific type.

A method of producing a sample enriched in particles of a specific type from a liquid sample, the method comprising

• obtaining a liquid sample comprising particles of the specific type;
• altering a hydrodynamic size of particles of the specific type in the liquid sample;
• and
• flowing the liquid sample through a channel under laminar flow conditions, wherein the channel comprises an inlet, an array of obstacles that form a network of gaps, and first and second outlets, wherein the channel is bounded by two side walls and further comprises a bypass channel defined by a region within the channel devoid of obstacles between a side wall and the array of obstacles, wherein any particles in the liquid sample passing into the inlet and through the network of gaps are divided unequally into a major flux and a minor flux so that particles having a hydrodynamic size above a critical size are displaced laterally in the network of gaps toward the bypass channel and to the first outlet and particles having a hydrodynamic size below the critical size are not displaced laterally in the network of gaps and flow to the second outlet, and wherein the specific type of particles having an altered hydrodynamic size are directed selectively to either the first outlet or the second outlet, thereby producing a sample enriched in particles of the specific type.