Optical switching and sorting of biological samples and microparticles transported in a micro-fluidic device, including integrated bio-chip devices
US6778724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24744
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Small particles, for example 5 &mgr;m diameter microspheres or cells, within, and moving with, a fluid, normally water, that is flowing within microfluidic channels within a radiation-transparent substrate, typically molded PDMS clear plastic, are selectively manipulated, normally by being pushed with optical pressure forces, with laser light, preferably as arises from VCSELs operating in Laguerre-Gaussian mode, at branching junctions in the microfluidic channels so as to enter into selected downstream branches, thereby realizing particle switching and sorting, including in parallel. Transport of the small particles thus transpires by microfluidics while manipulation in the manner of optical tweezers arises either from pushing due to optical scattering force, or from pulling due to an attractive optical gradient force. Whether pushed or pulled, the particles within the flowing fluid may be optically sensed, and highly-parallel, low-cost, cell- and particle-analysis devices efficiently realized, including as integrated on bio-chips.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.