Method for laser separation and characterization of particles and molecular species
Inventors
Hart, Sean J. • Staton, Sarah J. R. • Terray, Alexander V. • Collins, Gregory E.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10710074-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-14
Expiration Date
2033-10-01
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
The combined value of integrating optical forces and electrokinetics allows for the pooled separation vectors of each to be applied, providing for separation based on combinations of features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. The interplay of these separation vectors allow for the selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation. Embodiments include methods of method of separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused by an optic into the microfluidic channel, and a source of electrical field operationally connected to the microfluidic channel via electrodes so that the laser light and the electrical field to act jointly on the particles in the microfluidic channel. Other devices and methods are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods and devices for separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a combination of optical forces generated by focused laser light and electrokinetic forces provided by an electrical field. By integrating these forces, the invention allows particles to be separated based on multiple combined features including size, shape, refractive index, electrical charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. This dual-force approach enables finer selective manipulation of analytes in the microfluidic environment.
The problem being solved addresses the need for improved techniques for manipulation of analytes in liquids. Existing separation techniques either focus on physical or chemical properties alone and often cannot effectively differentiate complex mixtures of molecular species and particles. The present invention overcomes limitations in sensitivity and specificity by pooling the separation vectors of optical and electrokinetic forces, providing enhanced resolution in sorting various analyte types within microfluidic channels.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims describing methods for separating particles in a microfluidic channel using the combined application of laser-induced optical forces and electric fields to achieve separation of particles from molecular species.
Combined optical and electric field separation in a microfluidic channel
A method comprising flowing particles and molecular species through a microfluidic channel with multiple inlets and outlets, applying an electric field to one or more regions of the channel, and using focused laser light to generate an optical force such that the particles and molecular species are separated, with molecular species tending to exit one outlet and particles another.
Orthogonal laser light application for particle separation
A method as above wherein laser light is focused into the central microfluidic channel in a direction orthogonal to the channel, combined with flowing two liquids to pinch the particle flow and applying electric and optical forces jointly to separate particles and molecular species into distinct outlets.
These inventive features enable selective separation in microfluidic channels by jointly applying optical forces from laser light and electrical fields, using specific channel configurations and flow control to spatially separate particles from molecular species effectively.
Stated Advantages
Higher resolution separations by combining optical and electrokinetic forces, enabling separation based on multiple particle features including charge and refractive index.
Capability to separate particles and molecular species in a label-free manner without the need for tag molecules.
Finer separations achievable due to sensitivity to fundamentally different particle properties from combined forces.
Versatile operation modes including continuous high throughput, gating, and selective elution of particles.
Compatibility with traditional analytical detection schemes such as capillary electrophoresis and spectroscopic methods.
The integrated system allows both chemical/biochemical and biological analysis and sorting in a single platform.
Documented Applications
Analysis and purified collection of colloidal samples such as organic and inorganic particles, cells, bacteria, viruses, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, vesicles, organelles, IVF samples, and liposomes.
Distinguishing and diagnosing live versus dead organisms, presence or absence of antibodies, cell cycle stages, blood cell types, cancer cells, infected cells including those infected with viruses, bacteria, or parasites, and abnormal cells.
Separation and sorting of particles based on shapes, coatings, absorbing/non-absorbing wavelengths, tagging, and selective sorting from chemical or biochemical mixtures.
Interested in licensing this patent?