Microfluidic sorting with high gradient magnetic fields using opposing arrays of adjacent magnets

US11155779B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The General Hospital Corporation · US

Inventors

• Philipp S. Spuhler · Redwood City, US
• Kyle C. Smith · Hazel Park, US
• Fabio Fachin · Cambridge, US
• Thomas A. Barber · Central Falls, US
• Ravi Kapur · Sharon, US
• Mehmet Toner · Boston, US
• Vincent Haw Tien Pai · Somerville, US
• Nezihi Murat Karabacak · Arlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2019
• Grant date: Oct 26, 2021
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/1034
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Microfluidic devices are described that include a microfluidic channel, a first array of one or more magnets above the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the first array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the first array, and a second array of one or more magnets beneath the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the second array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the second array. The first array is aligned with respect to the second array such that magnetic fields emitted by the first array and second array generate a magnetic flux gradient profile extending through the channel. An absolute value of the profile includes a first maximum and a second maximum that bound a local minimum. The local minimum is located within the microfluidic channel or less than 5 mm away from a wall of the microfluidic channel. Methods of using the new devices are also described.