GB2585584A - Microfluidic particle sorter - Google Patents

Microfluidic particle sorter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2585584A
GB2585584A GB2014169.3A GB202014169A GB2585584A GB 2585584 A GB2585584 A GB 2585584A GB 202014169 A GB202014169 A GB 202014169A GB 2585584 A GB2585584 A GB 2585584A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
flow
particle
fluid
channel
sheath
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2014169.3A
Other versions
GB202014169D0 (en
Inventor
Pritchard Robyn
Samson Rogers Salman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TTP PLC
Original Assignee
TTP PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TTP PLC filed Critical TTP PLC
Priority to GB2014169.3A priority Critical patent/GB2585584A/en
Publication of GB202014169D0 publication Critical patent/GB202014169D0/en
Publication of GB2585584A publication Critical patent/GB2585584A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502753—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502761—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502715—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502769—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements
    • B01L3/502776—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements specially adapted for focusing or laminating flows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502769—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements
    • B01L3/502784—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0636—Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0647—Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
    • B01L2200/0652—Sorting or classification of particles or molecules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0678—Facilitating or initiating evaporation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
    • B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
    • B01L2300/0864—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
    • B01L2300/1805—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/08—Regulating or influencing the flow resistance
    • B01L2400/084—Passive control of flow resistance
    • B01L2400/086—Passive control of flow resistance using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions

Abstract

A microfluidic particle sorter comprising a single-junction sorter 104 comprising a bubble generator 105 and a vortex element 106, and a sheath flow particle focusing means connected to the single-junction sorter. Ideally, the sheath flow particle focusing means comprises a core flow channel 101 for the fluid containing the particles to be sorted and one or more sheath fluid flow channels 102, 103 wherein the flow of sheath fluid constrains the core fluid flow to centralise particles contained within the fluid upstream of the sorter. The single junction sorter further comprises an input channel connected to the sheath flow particle focusing means, an output sort channel 107 for receiving the separated particle flow and an output waste channel 108. The bubble generator maybe a thermal vapour bubble generator such as a heater and is operable to displace the core fluid around the particle to be sorted and thereby create transient flow. The vortex element may be a turn, protrusion or recess and is configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Description

MICROFLUIDIC PARTICLE SORTER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a microfluidic particle sorter and the use thereof.
BACKGROUND
Instruments for particle sorting have widespread uses in biological research. A major application of particle sorting technology is to sort biological cells.
Instrumentation for sorting cells based on measurements of fluorescent labels within the cells is typically known as fluorescence activated cell sorting. Other applications of particle sorting include the sorting of solid beads or liquid droplets of one liquid phase in a carrier fluid. For example, aqueous droplets in a non-aqueous carrier fluid can be used to contain cells. Thus, the particles to be sorted may, for example, be cells, beads, or droplets containing further particles.
Many microfluidic particle sorting technologies have been invented in the last couple of decades, although few have reached commercial application. A common theme is that of a 'single-junction sorter', where an inlet channel bifurcates into two output channels: a 'sort' channel and a 'waste' channel. Particles entering the inlet channel are focused into the centre of the input channel, typically by a hydrodynamic focusing region, and the outputs are hydrodynamically biased towards the waste channel, such that the centre streamline flows into the waste. An actuator, which is positioned at or upstream of the bifurcation point, selectively exerts a force on a desired particle (or on the fluid around the desired particle) in order to move it away from the centre streamline and into the sort channel. Microfluidic particle sorters with various actuators have been demonstrated, for example actuators based on standing surface acoustic waves, transient surface acoustic waves, piezo-actuated displacement, micromechanical valves, optical tweezers, electrophoresis, dieletrophoresis and thermal vapour bubbles created by laser absorption or by electrical heating.
The focusing of the particles into the centre of the inlet channel is an important part of many particle sorters for two reasons: firstly it allows a greater precision of optical measurement of the particles by a focused laser beam; secondly it allows a smaller deflection of the particle by the actuator to push the particle from waste stream to sort stream.
The present invention relates to a vortex-actuated particle sorter that works using sheath-flow particle focussing. The inventors have realised that sheath-flow particle focussing has advantages over inertial focussing for some applications, since there is no lower size limit or lower flow rate limit to achieve the particle focussing effect, and therefore the invention allows sorting of arbitrarily small particles, such as exosomes, nanoparticles, chromosomes and organelles, which is not easily achievable with conventional devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a microfluidic particle sorter comprising: a single-junction sorter comprising a bubble generator and a vortex element; and a sheath flow particle focusser connected to the single-junction sorter.
Different from inertial focussing, the combination of a sheath flow particle focusser with a vortex-actuated particle sorter advantageously allows for sorting of small particles in a single stream.
The sheath flow particle focusser may comprise a core flow channel; and the single-junction sorter may comprise: an input channel connected to the core flow channel for receiving therefrom a core fluid containing particles; and an output sort (or positive) channel and an output waste (or negative) channel, each connected to the input channel for receiving the core fluid therefrom. The bubble generator may be operable to selectively displace the fluid around a particle to be sorted and thereby to create a transient flow of the core fluid in the input channel; and the vortex element may be configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow in order to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel.
The sheath flow particle focusser may comprise one or more sheath flow channels arranged to provide a flow of a sheath fluid to constrain the flow of the core fluid, thereby to centralise the particles contained in the core fluid with respect to the input channel at a location upstream of the bubble generator.
The sheath flow particle focusser may comprise a plurality of said sheath flow channels which are arranged around the core flow channel so as to be reflectively symmetrical.
The sheath flow particle focusser may comprise first and second said sheath flow channels arranged to intersect the core flow channel at opposite sides thereof, such as to provide a flanking flow of the sheath fluid alongside the flow of the core fluid.
The first and second sheath flow channels may be inclined with respect to the core flow channel, such that a component of the flow of the sheath fluid is in the same direction as the flow of the core fluid.
The sheath flow particle focusser may comprise a said sheath flow channel arranged annularly with the core flow channel, such as to provide an annular flow of the sheath fluid around the flow of the core fluid.
The vortex element may comprise a protrusion in the input channel.
The vortex element may comprise a turn in the input channel.
The vortex element may comprise a recess in the input channel.
The vortex element may be between the bubble generator and the output sort channel.
The bubble generator may comprise a microheater.
The single-junction sorter may be configured, in the non-operation of the bubble generator and thereby absence of the said transient flow, to direct the particles into the output waste channel.
The single-junction sorter may comprise a valve configured to close to prevent the fluid passing through the output sort channel in order to disrupt the flow of the fluid and thereby direct accumulated debris towards the output waste channel.
The microfluidic particle sorter may comprise an array of single-junction sorters each as described herein above.
The microfluidic particle sorter may comprise an array of microlenses, each microlens being aligned with a respective one of the array of single-junction sorters.
In the microfluidic particle sorter: the input channels of the single-junction sorters may be connected to a common inlet via an inlet manifold; the output waste channels of the single-junction sorters may be connected to a common waste outlet via a waste manifold; and the output sort channels of the single-junction sorters may be connected to a common sort outlet via a sort manifold.
The microfluidic particle sorter may comprise an objective lens arrangement including one or more objective lenses.
The objective lens arrangement may be configured to deliver light to and collect light from every single-junction sorter of the array of single-junction sorters for the purpose of characterizing the particles in the fluid.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sorting particles using a microfluidic particle sorter as described herein above, the method comprising: providing a flow of the sheath fluid to the one or more sheath flow channels of the sheath flow particle focusser; providing a flow of the core fluid to the core flow channel of the sheath flow particle focusser; and controlling the pressure or volumetric flow rate of the sheath fluid and the core fluid, such that a particle core stream flowing through the single-junction sorter has a width that is narrower than a particle-interrogating laser focus or than the displacement caused by the vortex.
As used herein, the word "particle" encompasses biological cells, solid beads, and liquid droplets of one liquid phase in a carrier fluid (such as aqueous droplets in a non-aqueous carrier fluid). Liquid droplets may themselves contain further particles.
As used herein, the word "fluid" encompasses both aqueous and non-aqueous fluids, typically in the liquid or gas phase. For the purposes of the present invention, such a fluid typically contains particles, although fluids not containing particles may also be used.
The skilled person will understand that the terms "particle" and "fluid" are not limited to the above definitions should also be interpreted according to their understood meanings in the art.
Throughout this specification, the terms "sort channel", "output positive channel", "positive output channel", and "positive outlet" are used interchangeably.
Similarly, "waste channel", should be read as interchangeable with "output negative channel", "negative output channel" and "negative outlet".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vortex-actuated particle sorter including a sheath-flow particle focusser comprising a pair of sheath input channels; Figure 2 shows particle and sheath input ports of the sheath-flow particle focusser; and Figure 3 shows streamlines of a fluid flowing through the vortex-actuated particle sorter.
DETAILED DECSRIPTION
Figure 1 shows a microfluidic particle sorter comprising a single-junction sorter located downstream of a sheath flow particle focusser. Two sheath input channels 102, 103 of the sheath flow particle focusser join on opposite sides of a particle suspension input channel 101 thereof. A junction 104 sheath flow particle focusser located is upstream of the single-junction sorter, which comprises a thermal vapour bubble actuator 105, a vortex generation feature 106, a positive output channel (or output sort channel) 107, and a negative output channel (or waste channel) 108.
Referring also to Figure 2, the apparatus further comprises a sheath fluid input port 201 and a particle suspension input port 202. In operation, fluid pressures or volumetric flow rates are applied to ports 201 and 202, such that sheath fluid enters both sheath input channels at an equal rate due to the symmetry of the channel layout, and in proportion to the rate of particle suspension fluid (or core fluid).
Referring also to Figure 3, the sheath fluid has the effect of narrowing the range of streamlines with which particles flow through the sorter. Three streamlines (boundary and centre streamlines) of the particle suspension are shown. The entry of the sheath on opposite sides of the particle suspension at 301, causes a narrowing of the boundary streamlines 303, 304. The ratio of sheath fluid and particle suspension volumetric flow rates is chosen such that the width of the particle core stream 302 is much narrower than the perpendicular dimension of a laser spot 305 used to make precise optical measurements, and significantly narrower than the particle displacement produced by the vortex generated by the actuator 105 and the vortex generation feature 106.
Alternative embodiments of the invention may include any configuration of sheath flow input that has such an effect of narrowing the particle suspension core stream, either in 2D or in 3D.
It will be understood that the invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments and may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (20)

  1. CLAIMS1. A microfluidic particle sorter comprising: a single-junction sorter comprising a bubble generator and a vortex element; and a sheath flow particle focusser connected to the single-junction sorter.
  2. 2. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 1, wherein: the sheath flow particle focusser comprises a core flow channel; and the single-junction sorter comprises: an input channel connected to the core flow channel for receiving therefrom a core fluid containing particles; and an output sort channel and an output waste channel, each connected to the input channel for receiving the core fluid therefrom; and wherein: the bubble generator is operable to selectively displace the core fluid around a particle to be sorted and thereby to create a transient flow of the fluid in the input channel; and the vortex element is configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow in order to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel.
  3. 3. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 2, wherein the sheath flow particle focusser comprises one or more sheath flow channels arranged to provide a flow of a sheath fluid to constrain the flow of the core fluid, thereby to centralise the particles contained in the core fluid with respect to the input channel at a location upstream of the bubble generator.
  4. 4. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 3, wherein the sheath flow particle focusser comprises a plurality of said sheath flow channels which are arranged around the core flow channel so as to be reflectively symmetrical.
  5. 5. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sheath flow particle focusser comprises first and second said sheath flow channels arranged to intersect the core flow channel at opposite sides thereof, such as to provide a flanking flow of the sheath fluid alongside the flow of the core fluid.
  6. 6. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 3, wherein the first and second sheath flow channels are inclined with respect to the core flow channel, such that a component of the flow of the sheath fluid is in the same direction as the flow of the core fluid.
  7. 7. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 3, wherein the sheath flow particle focusser comprises a said sheath flow channel arranged annularly with the core flow channel, such as to provide an annular flow of the sheath fluid around the flow of the core fluid.
  8. 8. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the vortex element comprises a protrusion in the input channel.
  9. 9. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the vortex element comprises a turn in the input channel.
  10. 10. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the vortex element comprises a recess in the input channel.
  11. 11. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the vortex element is between the bubble generator and the output sort channel.
  12. 12. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any preceding claim, wherein the bubble generator comprises a microheater.
  13. 13. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the single-junction sorter is configured, in the non-operation of the bubble generator and thereby absence of the said transient flow, to direct the particles into the output waste channel.
  14. 14. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the single-junction sorter comprises a valve configured to close to prevent the fluid passing through the output sort channel in order to disrupt the flow of the fluid and thereby direct accumulated debris towards the output waste channel.
  15. 15. A microfluidic particle sorter, comprising an array of single-junction sorters each according to any preceding claim.
  16. 16. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 15, comprising an array of microlenses, each microlens being aligned with a respective one of the array of single-junction sorters.
  17. 17. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: the input channels of the single-junction sorters are connected to a common inlet via an inlet manifold; the output waste channels of the single-junction sorters are connected to a common waste outlet via a waste manifold; and the output sort channels of the single-junction sorters are connected to a common sort outlet via a sort manifold.
  18. 18. A microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 15 to 17, comprising an objective lens arrangement including one or more objective lenses.
  19. 19. A microfluidic particle sorter according to claim 18, wherein the objective lens arrangement is configured to deliver light to and collect light from every single-junction sorter of the array of single-junction sorters for the purpose of characterizing the particles in the fluid.
  20. 20. A method of sorting particles using a microfluidic particle sorter according to any one of claims 3 to 19, the method comprising: providing a flow of the sheath fluid to the one or more sheath flow channels of the sheath flow particle focusser; providing a flow of the core fluid to the core flow channel of the sheath flow particle focusser; and controlling the pressure or volumetric flow rate of the sheath fluid and the core fluid, such that a particle core stream flowing through the single-junction sorter has a width that is narrower than a particle-interrogating laser focus or than the displacement caused by the vortex.
GB2014169.3A 2020-09-09 2020-09-09 Microfluidic particle sorter Pending GB2585584A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2014169.3A GB2585584A (en) 2020-09-09 2020-09-09 Microfluidic particle sorter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2014169.3A GB2585584A (en) 2020-09-09 2020-09-09 Microfluidic particle sorter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202014169D0 GB202014169D0 (en) 2020-10-21
GB2585584A true GB2585584A (en) 2021-01-13

Family

ID=72841244

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2014169.3A Pending GB2585584A (en) 2020-09-09 2020-09-09 Microfluidic particle sorter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2585584A (en)

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998001026A1 (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-01-15 Ferber Dennis A Restraint device
WO2005108963A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-17 Nanyang Technological University Microfluidic cell sorter system
US20090107262A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Gakuji Hashimoto Particulate sampling apparatus, particulate sampling substrate and particulate sampling method
US20110030808A1 (en) * 2009-08-08 2011-02-10 The Regents Of The University Of California Pulsed laser triggered high speed microfluidic switch and applications in fluorescent activated cell sorting
US20140027356A1 (en) * 2012-07-24 2014-01-30 Sony Corporation Microparticle sorting method
US20140273179A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Inguran, Llc Device for high throughput sperm sorting
WO2017082828A1 (en) * 2015-11-11 2017-05-18 Singapore University Of Technology And Design Microfluidic particle manipulation
US20180031480A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2018-02-01 National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia, Llc Trajectory-Based Triggering System for Hyperspectral Imaging Flow Cytometer
GB2561587A (en) * 2017-04-19 2018-10-24 The Technology Partnership Plc Apparatus and method for sorting microfluid particles
CN110124757A (en) * 2019-04-29 2019-08-16 南京师范大学 A kind of micro particles sorting micro-fluidic device
WO2020018066A1 (en) * 2018-07-16 2020-01-23 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Separations of focused particle flows

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998001026A1 (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-01-15 Ferber Dennis A Restraint device
WO2005108963A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-17 Nanyang Technological University Microfluidic cell sorter system
US20090107262A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Gakuji Hashimoto Particulate sampling apparatus, particulate sampling substrate and particulate sampling method
US20110030808A1 (en) * 2009-08-08 2011-02-10 The Regents Of The University Of California Pulsed laser triggered high speed microfluidic switch and applications in fluorescent activated cell sorting
US20180031480A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2018-02-01 National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia, Llc Trajectory-Based Triggering System for Hyperspectral Imaging Flow Cytometer
US20140027356A1 (en) * 2012-07-24 2014-01-30 Sony Corporation Microparticle sorting method
US20140273179A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Inguran, Llc Device for high throughput sperm sorting
WO2017082828A1 (en) * 2015-11-11 2017-05-18 Singapore University Of Technology And Design Microfluidic particle manipulation
GB2561587A (en) * 2017-04-19 2018-10-24 The Technology Partnership Plc Apparatus and method for sorting microfluid particles
WO2020018066A1 (en) * 2018-07-16 2020-01-23 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Separations of focused particle flows
CN110124757A (en) * 2019-04-29 2019-08-16 南京师范大学 A kind of micro particles sorting micro-fluidic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB202014169D0 (en) 2020-10-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Song et al. Modelling and optimization of micro optofluidic lenses
JP5086101B2 (en) Cell sorting method and apparatus
EP3201599A1 (en) Method, device and system for hydrodynamic flow focusing
EA030193B1 (en) Method and system for microfluidic particle orientation and/or sorting
US9529203B2 (en) Focal plane shifting system
JP2007514522A5 (en)
JP2007514522A (en) Hydrodynamic multilayer sheath flow structure
US11607688B2 (en) Apparatus and method for sorting microfluidic particles
KR101138904B1 (en) Particle separating unit and particle separating system using the same
Watts et al. Formation and characterization of an ideal excitation beam geometry in an optofluidic device
CN112912711A (en) Optical system and flow cytometer
GB2585584A (en) Microfluidic particle sorter
Sun et al. Composite-microlens-array-enabled microfluidic sorting
CN104971788A (en) Optical flow control chip utilizing impinging stream and optical scattering force and application thereof for sorting micro-nano particles
Applegate et al. Optically integrated microfluidic systems for cellular characterization and manipulation
CN105618166B (en) Equipment for realizing sorting of metal nanoparticles by utilizing Fano interference based light scattering force
DK173796B1 (en) Method for controlling flow in a flow system
Watts et al. A microfluidic-photonic-integrated device with enhanced excitation power density
Cho et al. Micro-fabricated fluorescence-activated cell sorter
CN211043830U (en) Optical system
CN219608774U (en) Microfluidic chip for fluorescence detection and fluorescence detection system comprising same
JP2005345710A (en) Fluid optical device, optical tweezer comprising the same and micro fluid device having the same
Zhu et al. Particle Inertial Focusing in Spiral Channel of Tapered Cross-Section
Hart et al. Optical chromatography for biological separations
Song et al. A micro optofluidic lens with short focal length

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20211104 AND 20211110