Laser particle separation and characterization with angled laser light to maximize residence time
Inventors
Hart, Sean J. • Staton, Sarah J. R. • Terray, Alexander V. • Collins, Gregory E.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10730050-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-04
Expiration Date
2033-10-01
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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 combines optical forces and electrokinetics within a microfluidic channel to manipulate and separate particles based on multiple features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. By integrating these separation vectors, the device allows a finer degree of selective manipulation and separation of analytes, enabling separation based on chemical composition, geometry, and internal structure.
The invention is implemented through methods and devices comprising microfluidic channels with laser light sources focused at various angles and electrical field sources, including dielectrophoretic (DEP) fields generated through electrode or insulator DEP systems. The optical forces from the laser and electrokinetic forces act jointly on particles flowing in liquids through the channels to achieve trapping, velocity modification, and separation into multiple outlets or traps.
The problem being solved addresses the need for effective techniques for manipulation of analytes in liquids to achieve separations based on intrinsic physical and chemical properties without relying on tags or labels. Prior methods such as field flow fractionation and flow cytometry either rely heavily on size-based separation or labeled biochemical markers, limiting their versatility. This invention overcomes such limitations by exploiting a combination of optical and electrokinetic forces to enhance resolution and selectivity in particle separation.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim that discloses a method involving a microfluidic device with laser light crossing the channel at an angle to separate particles by maximizing their residence time in the laser light.
Angle of laser light crossing microfluidic channel for particle separation
A method providing a microfluidic device comprising an inlet and multiple exits, and a laser light source focused by an optic to cross the microfluidic channel at an angle. Particles in liquid flow through the inlet, and the angle of laser light is selected to produce an optical force directly on the particles while maximizing their residence time in the laser light. This allows selective separation of particles from molecular species into multiple exits.
The claim covers a method of particle separation in a microfluidic channel by selecting the angle of laser light to maximize particle residence time in the laser beam, producing optical forces that selectively separate particles from molecular species across multiple channel exits.
Stated Advantages
Separation based on combinations of intrinsic properties such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability, allowing finer selective manipulation.
Ability to separate chemically different particles without the need for chemical or immunological tags.
Capability to distinguish biological samples such as live versus dead organisms, presence or absence of antibodies, cell cycle stages, blood cell types, cancerous and infected cells, and abnormal cells.
Integration of optical and electrokinetic forces allows high-resolution separations by combining phenomena sensitive to fundamentally different particle characteristics.
Enables continuous, high throughput preparative separations adaptable to multiple analytical detection schemes including capillary electrophoresis, spectroscopy, culturing, and antibody studies.
Overcomes limitations of traditional field flow fractionation and flow cytometry by directly exploiting intrinsic physical and chemical properties without reliance on labels or probes.
Documented Applications
Separation and analysis of colloidal samples including organic particulates, inorganic particles such as glass and metal particles, and biological species including cells, bacteria, and viruses.
Separation and characterization of carbon nanotubes, quantum dots (single, dimer & trimer forms), vesicles, organelles, and liposomes.
Use in biomedical analysis for distinguishing live versus dead organisms, diagnosing presence or absence of antibodies, cell cycle staging, identification of blood cell types, cancer, infected or abnormal cells.
Bio-warfare detection by differentiating biological species based on physical and chemical properties with light interaction in fluid flow without tagging.
High-throughput identification, sorting, and manipulation of particles in microfluidic devices using combined optical and dielectrophoretic forces.
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