Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof
US8372579B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24744
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.