Paired laser and electrokinetic separation, manipulation, and analysis device
Inventors
Terray, Alexander V. • Hart, Sean J. • Staton, Sarah J. R. • Collins, Gregory E.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9731293-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-15
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 a method and device for separating and manipulating particles in a microfluidic channel by integrating optical forces and electrokinetics. The combined value of these two force vectors allows for separation based on multiple particle features such as size, shape, refractive index, electrical charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. By applying these pooled separation vectors jointly, the system achieves selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation.
The invention addresses the need for improved techniques for manipulation of analytes in liquids, especially enabling separation of both particulate and molecular species without requiring tag molecules. The interplay of optical and electrokinetic forces permits investigating chemical composition, geometry, and internal structure of analytes and allows both bulk fluid flow generation and physical separation of analyte mixtures, enhancing resolution and sensitivity.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains multiple inventive features covered primarily by independent claims related to a microfluidic device combining dielectrophoretic (DEP) fields and laser light for particle trapping and velocity modification.
Joint application of optical and DEP fields
A device comprising a microfluidic channel configured to supply a linear or non-linear dielectrophoretic (DEP) field via DEP electrodes or insulator DEP systems with shaped wall or obstruction geometry creating channel restrictions, and a focused laser light source, wherein the laser light and DEP field operate jointly on particles to trap them or modify their velocity.
Orthogonal laser-elution of particle populations
A device as above further comprising an adjoining channel structure open at one end, wherein the DEP field operates on isolated particle populations based on electrokinetic properties, and laser light focused orthogonally to flow elutes one or more of these populations into the adjoining channel structure.
Implementation of shaped wall or obstruction geometries
The device wherein the channel has curved or triangular shaped wall geometry or round obstruction geometry to create restrictions influencing the DEP field profile.
Adjustable angled laser alignment
The device wherein the laser light is configured to be adjustably angled via mirrors and focusing optics mounted on optomechanical components that provide degrees of freedom for directing and aligning the laser into the microfluidic channel.
These inventive features collectively provide a microfluidic separation device that utilizes combined DEP fields and focused laser light to trap, separate, and manipulate particles based on multiple physical and electrokinetic properties with improved control and selectivity.
Stated Advantages
Enables separation based on multiple intrinsic particle features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, and deformability.
Allows finer degree of particle manipulation by combining optical and electrokinetic forces.
Supports physical separation of both particulate and molecular species without applying tag molecules.
Increases resolution and sensitivity of separations by probing chemical composition, geometry, and internal structure of analytes.
Facilitates continuous high-throughput separations and isolation for further processing or analysis.
Permits multiplexed chemical/biochemical and biological analysis and sorting in a single platform.
Documented Applications
Separation and analysis of organic particulates, inorganic particles (such as glass and metal), and biological species including cells, bacteria, and viruses.
Sorting and characterization of particles like carbon nanotubes, quantum dots (single, dimer, trimer forms), vesicles, organelles, IVF samples, and liposomes.
Distinguishing live versus dead organisms, presence/absence of antibodies, cell cycle stages, blood cell types, cancer cells, infected cells, and abnormal cells.
Non-labeled particle sorting and chemical or biochemical mixture separations based on intrinsic physical and electrokinetic properties.
Applications to bio-warfare detection and biomedical analysis through separation by chemical composition and physical characteristics without relying on antibodies or fluorescent labeling.
Interested in licensing this patent?