Process for sorting motile particles from lesser-motile particles and apparatus suitable therefor

US10227562B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Shuichi Takayama · Ann Arbor, US
• Gary D. Smith · Ann Arbor, US
• Timothy G. Schuster · Ann Arbor, US
• Brenda S. Cho · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 2016
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/0406
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Motile particles are sorted from non-motile particles in a microfluidic sorting device wherein a stream of sort fluid containing motile and non-motile particles is caused to flow adjacent a media stream in non-turbulent fashion through a sort channel, during which flow motile particles cross the interface between the adjacent flow streams, entering the media stream, and forming a motile particle-depleted sort stream. The sorting devices are easily and inexpensively fabricated and have numerous uses, in particular sorting of motile from non-motile sperm.