Patent · US Active

Manipulation of particles in channels

US8689981B2 · kind B2 · utility

14Cited by
19References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 2010
Grant dateApr 8, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12M47/04
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Systems and methods for the manipulation of particles within channels such as microfluidic channels are provided. In one set of embodiments, magnets are positioned around a channel. As a fluid containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles flows through the channel, the magnetic field created by the magnets can be used to transport the magnetic and/or non-magnetic particles to desired locations within the channel, which may useful in some cases for causing some separation of the particles. For example, the magnetic field may be used to transport magnetic or non-magnetic particles from a core fluid to a surrounding sheath fluid. In some cases, the magnetic field is used to transport non-magnetic particles to a small volume within the channel (e.g., a single-file row within the channel). The systems and methods described herein may find application in a variety of fields including, for example, continuous sorting of cells, removal of targeted cells from a stream of blood, or the arrangement of non-magnetic particles in channels for analysis.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.