Microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters and for the continuous encapsulation thereof following sorting thereof
US8263023B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2525
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters, and for the continuous and automated encapsulation of the clusters, once sorted, in capsules of sizes suitable for those of these sorted clusters is provided. The microfluidic system comprises a substrate in which a microchannel array comprising a cell sorting unit is etched and around which a protective cover is bonded, and the sorting unit comprises deflection means capable of separating, during the flow thereof, relatively noncohesive cell clusters, each of size ranging from 20 μm to 500 μm and of 20 to 10 000 cells approximately, such as islets of Langerhans, at least two sorting microchannels arranged in parallel at the outlet of said unit being respectively designed so as to transport as many categories of sorted clusters continuously to a unit for encapsulation of the latter, also formed in said array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.