Cartridge for MEMS particle sorting system
Inventors
Foster, John S. • Grummitt, Daryl W. • Harley, John C. • Linton, James P. • Spong, Jaquelin K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8822207-B2
Publication Date
2014-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A disposable cartridge is described which is compatible with a MEMS particle sorting device. The disposable cartridge may include passageways which connect fluid reservoirs in the cartridge with corresponding microfluidic passageways on the MEMS chip. A flexible gasket may prevent leakages and allow the fluid to cross the gasket barrier through a plurality of holes in the gasket. Vents and septums may also be included to allow air to escape and fluids to be inserted by hypodermic needle. A MEMS-based particle sorting system using the disposable cartridge is also described.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a substantially sealed, disposable cartridge for a MEMS particle sorting system. The cartridge includes a microfabricated particle sorting structure installed within the substantially sealed, disposable cartridge, a quantity of biocompatible material with a plurality of fluid reservoirs disposed therein, and one or more fluidic passageways connecting the fluid reservoirs to the MEMS particle sorting system.
The reservoirs are covered by a flexible gasket, and the flexible gasket has a plurality of holes formed in the gasket that allows a fluid to flow between at least one of the reservoirs and the microfabricated particle sorting structure. The microfabricated particle sorting structure is fabricated on a layer of a substrate and includes a plurality of microfabricated fluidic channels formed in a plane of the layer of the substrate.
A movable structure formed in and from the layer of the substrate moves substantially in the plane and is acted on by a magnetic force substantially in the same plane. The movable structure simultaneously opens a first microfabricated fluidic channel and closes a second microfabricated fluidic channel, and its motion is substantially rotary, with one or more flexible springs returning the movable structure to a first position when the force is removed.
The invention also describes a MEMS particle sorting system architecture in which a detector detects a tagged target particle in a detection region of the microfabricated particle sorting structure. The system uses optical detection in which laser illumination irradiates the detection region, and a controller actuates the in-plane, magnetically driven movable structure to divert target particles to a sort path while routing waste away.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claims include the cartridge claim for a substantially sealed, disposable MEMS particle sorting cartridge and the corresponding system claim that adds target-particle detection with a detection region, detector, and optical irradiation features. Across the independently claimed scope, inventive features cover three cartridge/structure features and two system-level detection features.
Substantially sealed, disposable cartridge with microfabricated sorting structure
A substantially sealed, disposable cartridge for a MEMS particle sorting system including at least one microfabricated particle sorting structure formed on a substrate and installed in the substantially sealed, disposable cartridge.
Gasketed reservoir-to-sorting fluidic passageways
A quantity of biocompatible material with a plurality of fluid reservoirs disposed therein with one or more fluidic passageways connecting the fluid reservoirs to the MEMS particle sorting system, and a flexible gasket covering the reservoirs wherein a plurality of holes formed in the gasket allows a fluid to flow between at least one of the reservoirs and the microfabricated particle sorting structure.
Planar in-layer fluidic channels and rotary magnetically actuated movable structure with spring return
The microfabricated particle sorting structure fabricated on a layer of a substrate including a plurality of microfabricated fluidic channels formed in a plane of the layer of the substrate and a movable structure formed in and from the layer of the substrate with a motion substantially in the plane, acted on by a magnetic force substantially in the same plane, wherein the movable structure simultaneously opens a first microfabricated fluidic channel and closes a second microfabricated fluidic channel, the motion is substantially rotary, and the movable structure is attached to the substrate at one or more fixed points with one or more flexible springs attached to the one or more fixed points that return the movable structure to a first position when the force is removed.
Detector and detection region for detecting a target particle in the MEMS sorting structure
A MEMS particle sorting system including a detector that detects a target particle in a detection region of the microfabricated particle sorting structure.
Optical irradiation of the detection region
A MEMS particle sorting system further including laser illumination that irradiates the detection region of the microfabricated particle sorting structure.
Overall claim coverage centers on a substantially sealed, disposable MEMS particle sorting cartridge that integrates reservoir-to-channel fluid routing under a flexible gasket and uses a planar in-layer microfabricated fluidic channel arrangement actuated by a magnetically driven, substantially rotary movable structure with spring return. The system scope additionally covers detection of a target particle in a detection region using a detector and laser illumination to support actuation of the MEMS sorting structure.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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