Methods and apparatus for sorting cells using an optical switch in a microfluidic channel network

US8426209B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Celula, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William Butler · San Ramon, US
• Mirianas Chachisvilis · San Diego, US
• Robert Dees · San Diego, US
• Norbert D. Hagen · Carlsbad, US
• Philippe Marchand · Lake Forest, US
• Daniel E. Raymond · San Diego, US
• Eugene Tu · San Diego, US
• Mark M. Wang · San Diego, US
• Joon Mo Yang · San Diego, US
• Rong Yang · Derby, GB
• Haichuan Zhang · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/2575
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on an optical switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format.