Dielectrophoretic immobilization of particle in proximity to cavity for interfacing

Abstract

An apparatus for immobilizing a particle in a fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a membrane for separating a fluid from a compartment, one or more electrodes disposed proximate to the membrane, a counter-electrode, wherein the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode are configured to generate a non-linear electric field across the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode; and a power source for providing an alternating current (AC) across the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode, thereby generating an oscillating non-linear electric field for immobilizing a particle suspended in the fluid that flows between the one or more electrodes and the counter-electrode. The membrane can have an opening to allow for mechanical manipulation of the particle that is immobilized with a sharp member configured to enter across the membrane from the compartment.

Description

Background technique [0001] Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an electrophysical phenomenon that occurs when electrically neutral but polarizable substances, such as biomolecules or cells, in a nonlinear electric field are subjected to forces in an electric field gradient. This is because one side of the particle experiences a greater dipole force than the other side due to changes in the electric field across the particle. The DEP force is nominally given by the following equation: [0002] [0003] where r is the radius of the particle, ∈ m is the dielectric constant of the fluid, E is the electric field, and f cM is the Clausius-Mossotti factor, depending on the complex value of the dielectric constant difference between the fluid and the particle, and it determines whether the DEP force is positive or negative. [0004] Based on the ability to capture and sort neutral particles or biomolecules in a fluid environment, DEP can be used, for example, for single-cell analysis in...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of DEP to isolate single cells for direct cell manipulation presents additional challenges due to, for example, but not limited to, the introduction of probing tools for local manipulation of cells in fluid and nonlinear electric field environments.

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