Method and device for manipulating microparticles in fluid flows

US6727451B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Evotec Technologies GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gunter Fuhr · Berlin, DE
• Rolf Hagedorn · Berlin, DE
• Torsten Müller · Berlin, DE
• Thomas Schnelle · Berlin, DE
• Gabriele Gradl · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 27, 2004
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M47/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

To manipulate microparticles in a fluid that intersects a first channel or several first channels as a stream, one or more microparticles (14) are exposed to electrical field barriers that change their direction from the direction of flow toward the edge of the flow to a lateral hole (17) of the respective first channel. As a result, microparticles can be moved back and forth between streaming fluids. Preferred applications include treatment, separating, sorting or confinement procedures.