Paired laser and electrokinetic separation, manipulation, and analysis device
Inventors
Hart, Sean J. • Staton, Sarah J. R. • Terray, Alexander V. • Collins, Gregory E.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9981267-B2
Publication Date
2018-05-29
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 relates to a combined system integrating optical forces and electrokinetic forces within a microfluidic channel to separate particles based on various features such as size, shape, refractive index, electrical charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. By jointly manipulating laser light and an electrical field acting on particles in a microfluidic device, finer and selective manipulation of analytes can be achieved compared to using either method alone.
The problem being addressed is the need for techniques for manipulation and separation of analytes in liquids that can provide enhanced selectivity and resolution without requiring tagging of particles or molecular species. Existing methods individually based on optical forces or electrokinetics are limited in their ability to resolve complex mixtures based on multiple particle properties simultaneously. The invention overcomes these limitations by pooling the separation vectors of optical and electrokinetic forces for improved analytical and preparative separations.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim that defines a method for separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a combination of laser light and electrical field acting jointly.
Joint manipulation of laser light and electrical field in a microfluidic channel
The method entails providing a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused into the channel by an optic, and a source of electrical field connected via electrodes. Particles suspended in liquid flow through the channel and the laser light and electrical field act jointly on the particles to achieve separation based on a range of properties including size, shape, refractive index, electrical charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability.
Positioning of electrodes for electric field application
The electric field is generated by electrodes positioned at inlet and outlet ends of the microfluidic channel and beyond the region where particle separating occurs, enabling effective application of the field in the separation region.
The independent claim covers the novel method of simultaneous optical and electrokinetic manipulation within a microfluidic device to separate particles with respect to multiple intrinsic properties, using specifically arranged electrodes and focused laser light to achieve enhanced separation capabilities.
Stated Advantages
The combination of optical forces and electrokinetics permits separation based on multiple particle features simultaneously, enabling finer and more selective manipulation of analytes.
The system does not require tagging of particles or molecular species for separation, enhancing versatility and ease of use.
The technique allows for separating chemically different particles, including biological species, based on intrinsic physical and chemical properties, offering new possibilities for analysis and purified collection.
The integrated approach expands the range of sample characterization and sorting, including distinguishing live from dead organisms, infected cells, and varied cell types, making it useful for biomedical and bio-warfare detection applications.
The combination of forces sensitive to fundamentally different phenomena (charge and refractive index) achieves higher resolution separations than available by single-force methods alone.
Documented Applications
Separation and analysis of colloidal samples such as organic particulates, inorganic particles, cells, bacteria, viruses, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, vesicles, organelles, IVF-related samples, and liposomes.
Distinguishing and diagnosing biological characteristics including live versus dead organisms, presence or absence of antibodies, cell cycle stage, blood cell types, cancer cells, and infected or abnormal cells.
Use in chemical and biological warfare agent detection through combined chemical/biochemical and biological analysis and sorting.
Preparative separations for subsequent analytical detection methods like capillary electrophoresis, spectroscopic investigations, culturing, and antibody studies.
Identification and sorting of particles based on physical properties such as shape, size, refractive index, and charge without requiring tagged markers.
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