Microfluidic Eddies for Cell Trapping, Separation, and Concentration
Introduction Trapping individual live cells requires a balance between a trap strong enough to hold a swimming cell, and trap gentle enough not to disrupt or damage the cell. Current cell trapping methods such as dielectrophoresis subject cells to high electric fields and impose limits on the fluid environment surrounding the cell. Technology description This invention uses microfluidic eddies to trap, separate, and concentrate single cells. The strength of the traps can be controlled by fluid forces. This method is inexpensive and simple compared to optical tweezers and other trapping methods. Additionally, this invention is applicable to any cell medium independent of fluid and cell properties. Potential applications for this device include 1)trapping single cells at known locations for cell treatment and analysis of dynamic cell response using fixed position microscopy, spectroscopy or embedded sensors 2)separation of cells based on differences in size, density or swimming length 3)concentration of cells from dilute mixtures. Business opportunity This technology should be of interest to a wide range of industries interested in trapping and manipulating individual cells, which include blood product safety, in vitro fertilization, drug testing, and basic cellular research. Intellectual property position Patents are pending on this technology. Related Publication(s)Lutz BR, Chen J, Schwartz DT., Hydrodynamic tweezers: 1. Noncontact trapping of single cells using steady streaming microeddies. Analytical Chemistry. 2006 Aug; 78(15): 5429- 35.
Type of Offer: Licensing
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