Enhanced cell/bead encapsulation methods and apparatuses

US11559809B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Abraham P. Lee · Irvine, US
• Roger Shih · Tustin, US
• Wei Fang · Taipei, TW
• Naiqing Zhang · Qingdao, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 16, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 13, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N1/38
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of encapsulating a solid sample in a droplet, the method including flowing a continuous phase through a first fluid channel at a first flow rate; flowing a dispersed phase through a second fluid channel at a second flow rate, the dispersed phase including a plurality of particles, cells or beads; trapping the plurality of particles, cells or beads in a mixing region that receives the dispersed phase and the continuous phase; and reducing the first flow rate to encapsulate the trapped particles, cells or beads in droplets of the dispersed phase generated when the dispersed phase and the continuous phase exit the mixing region through an orifice.