Particle trajectory control device and method for controlling particle trajectory

Abstract

This particle trajectory control device comprises a flow path device and a vibration device. The flow path device has a flow path in which a plurality of pillars are arranged. The vibration device is configured so as to be capable of applying vibration to the flow path device.

Description

Particle trajectory control device and particle trajectory control method

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 617,776 filed January 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Microchannels are being utilized in various fields, including medical products and food science. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a particle trajectory control technology (Deterministic Lateral Displacement: DLD) using a column-array channel.

[0003] Particle trajectory control technology is used, for example, to separate particles based on their size. The boundary value of the diameter (separation diameter) at which the flow direction of particles can be controlled is determined by the geometric shape of the flow channel. For example, particles larger than the separation diameter move in one direction along the support array, while particles smaller than the separation diameter move straight along the flow direction of the flow channel. As a result, particle trajectory control technology can separate particles larger than the separation diameter from particles smaller than the separation diameter.

[0004] A. Davis JA et al. PNAS 103, 14779-14784 (2006).

[0005] Because the separation diameter is determined by the geometry of the channel, changing the separation diameter requires changing the geometry of the channel. In other words, a channel needs to be designed for each separation diameter, which reduces the versatility of the device.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a particle trajectory control device and a particle trajectory control method that are capable of changing the separation diameter.

[0007] After extensive research, the present inventors have found that the separation diameter can be changed by applying vibration to the flow channel, thereby changing the effective geometric shape of the flow channel for particles flowing through the flow channel.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides the following means.

[0009] A particle trajectory control device according to a first aspect includes a flow channel device having a flow channel with a plurality of pillars arranged therein, and a vibration device configured to apply vibrations to the flow channel device.

[0010] The particle trajectory control method according to the second aspect includes a first step of flowing a liquid containing a plurality of particles through a flow path in which a plurality of pillars are arranged, and a second step of applying vibration to the flow path.

[0011] The particle trajectory control device and particle trajectory control method according to the present disclosure can change the separation diameter.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flow channel device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of particle movement when no vibration is applied to the flow channel device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of particle movement when vibration is applied to the flow channel device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a flow channel device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a flow of particles around a pillar of the flow channel device of Example 1. FIG. 9 shows particle movement in the flow channel device of Example 1. FIG. 10 is a demonstration result of particle separation in Example 1. FIG. 11 is a demonstration result of particle separation in Example 2. FIG. 12 is a demonstration result of particle separation in Example 3. FIG. 13 is a demonstration result of particle separation in Example 4.

[0013] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings used in the following description may show characteristic portions enlarged for the sake of clarity, and the dimensional ratios of the components may differ from the actual ones. The materials, dimensions, etc. exemplified in the following description are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Appropriate modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] First, the directions will be defined. The plane on which the flow path device extends is defined as the XY plane, one direction of which is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction. The X direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the flow path of the flow path device, and is the direction from the inlet to the outlet of the flow path. The X direction is an example of a first direction. The Y direction is an example of a second direction. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the XY plane, and is, for example, the thickness direction of the flow path device. The Z direction is an example of a third direction.

[0015] 1 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device 500 according to a first embodiment. The particle trajectory control device 500 includes, for example, a flow channel device 100, a vibration device 200, and a signal generator 300.

[0016] 2 is a plan view of the flow channel device 100 according to the first embodiment. The flow channel device 100 includes, for example, a flow channel element 1 and a substrate 2.

[0017] The substrate 2 is bonded to the flow path element 1, for example. The substrate 2 may be made of any material, such as glass or plastic. The substrate 2 and the flow path element 1 may be bonded together to form a flow path. The substrate 2 is not limited to being flat, and may have a pattern formed thereon. The pattern of the substrate 2 and the pattern of the flow path element 1 may be combined to form a flow path. The presence of the substrate 2 makes it easier to apply the vibrations generated by the vibration device 200 to the flow path element 1. The substrate 2 is not necessary.

[0018] The flow path element 1 has a flow path 10 therein. The flow path element 1 may have a groove formed on one surface, and may be bonded to a substrate 2 to form the flow path 10. The material constituting the flow path element 1 is not particularly limited. The flow path element 1 is made of, for example, silicon, glass, polymer resin, etc. It is preferable that the flow path element 1 is made of, for example, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

[0019] The flow channel 10 has an inlet 11 , an outlet 12 , and a particle trajectory control unit 13 .

[0020] The inlet 11 is an input portion for a fluid into the flow channel 10. The number of inlets 11 is not limited to one. There may be a plurality of inlets 11.

[0021] The outlet 12 is an output portion of the fluid from the flow channel 10. The number of outlets 12 is also not limited to two. For example, if particles are classified into three groups, large, medium, and small, it is preferable to have three outlets 12. The number of outlets 12 can be any number depending on the design.

[0022] The particle trajectory control unit 13 is a part that connects the inlet 11 and the outlet 12. When a fluid flows through the particle trajectory control unit 13, particles contained in the fluid are separated according to particle size. Furthermore, the flow direction of the particles contained in the fluid may be controlled by flowing the fluid through the particle trajectory control unit 13. A plurality of pillars 14 are formed in the particle trajectory control unit 13. The length of the particle trajectory control unit 13 in the X direction is, for example, 1 μm or more and 1 m or less. The width of the particle trajectory control unit 13 in the Y direction is, for example, 1 μm or more and 1 m or less.

[0023] The pillars 14 are arranged at regular intervals in both the X and Y directions. For example, a row of pillars 14 arranged in the Y direction is arranged at regular intervals in the X direction. The pillar rows do not have to be arranged in the Y direction, and may be arranged in a direction tilted from the Y direction.

[0024] Furthermore, pillars 14 adjacent in the X direction do not need to be at the same position in the Y direction, but may be offset in the Y direction. For example, the line segment connecting pillars aligned in the X direction may extend in the X direction, may extend in a direction tilted from the X direction, or may be zigzag. Similarly, pillars 14 adjacent in the Y direction do not need to be at the same position in the X direction, but may be offset in the X direction. For example, the line segment connecting pillars aligned in the Y direction may extend in the Y direction, may extend in a direction tilted from the Y direction, or may be zigzag.

[0025] There is no particular restriction on the spacing between the pillars 14. The spacing between the pillars 14 can be freely designed depending on the separation diameter. The shortest distance between the pillars 14 is, for example, 1 nm or more and 10 mm or less, and preferably 1 nm or more and 1 mm or less.

[0026] There is no particular limitation on the diameter of each pillar 14. The diameter of the pillar 14 can be freely designed. The diameter of the pillar 14 is, for example, 1 nm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0027] There is no particular limitation on the height of each pillar 14. The height of the pillar 14 can be freely designed. The height of the pillar 14 is, for example, 1 nm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0028] Each of the multiple pillars 14 is, for example, a cylinder. The pillars 14 are not necessarily limited to a columnar shape. For example, the pillars 14 may be a cone or a frustum. The planar shape of the pillars 14 is not limited to a circle. For example, the planar shape of the pillars 14 may be an ellipse, an oval, or a polygon. The axial direction of the pillars 14 may be in the Z direction or may be inclined from the Z direction. The pillars 14 may be connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the flow channel 10, or may be connected only to the top surface of the flow channel 10, or may be connected only to the bottom surface of the flow channel 10.

[0029] The vibration device 200 is configured to be able to apply vibrations to the flow channel device 100. The vibration device 200 applies vibrations having a component in any one of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction to the flow channel device 100.

[0030] There is no particular limitation on the direction in which the vibration device 200 vibrates the flow path device 100. For example, the vibration device 200 may vibrate the flow path device 100 in the X direction, the Y direction, or the Z direction, or a combination of these vibrations. For example, the vibration device 200 may vibrate the flow path device 100 in the X direction and the Y direction so as to draw a circle when viewed from the Z direction.

[0031] The vibrating device 200 may be of any type as long as it can apply vibration to the flow channel device 100. For example, the vibrating device 200 shown in FIG.

[0032] The first oscillator 201 is in contact with, for example, a first side surface of the flow channel device 100. The first oscillator 201 applies vibration in at least the X direction to the flow channel device 100. Although the first oscillator 201 shown in FIG. 1 is in contact with the substrate 2, it may be in direct contact with the flow channel element 1.

[0033] The second oscillator 202 is in contact with, for example, the second side surface of the flow channel device 100. The second oscillator 202 applies vibration in at least the Y direction to the flow channel device 100. Although the second oscillator 202 shown in FIG. 1 is in contact with the substrate 2, it may be in direct contact with the flow channel element 1.

[0034] 1 can apply any vibration in the XY plane by adjusting the amplitude and phase of the first oscillator 201 and the second oscillator 202. For example, the amplitude or phase of the first oscillator 201 may be different from the amplitude or phase of the second oscillator 202. For example, by shifting the vibration period of the first oscillator 201 and the vibration period of the second oscillator 202 by half a period, it is possible to apply a vibration that rotates in a circular shape when viewed from the Z direction to the flow channel device 100.

[0035] The vibration device 200 may also have a third vibrator on the bottom or top surface of the flow channel device 100. The third vibrator applies vibration to the flow channel device 100 in at least the Z direction.

[0036] The first oscillator 201, the second oscillator 202, and the third oscillator may be of any type as long as they are elements that can generate vibrations. The first oscillator 201, the second oscillator 202, and the third oscillator may be, for example, piezoelectric elements.

[0037] The signal generator 300 is connected to the vibration device 200. The signal generator 300 may be connected to the vibration device 200 during use. The signal generator 300 is separable from the flow channel device 100 and the vibration device 200.

[0038] The signal generator 300 includes, for example, a power supply, a function generator, and an amplifier. The power supply generates a voltage. The function generator controls the voltage waveform to be applied to the vibration device 200. The amplifier amplifies the voltage waveform generated by the function generator.

[0039] 1 , the signal generator 300 applies a voltage waveform to each of the first oscillator 201 and the second oscillator 202. The signal generator 300 controls the amplitude and phase of the voltage applied to the first oscillator 201 and the amplitude and phase of the voltage applied to the second oscillator 202. For example, the signal generator 300 applies to the second oscillator 202 a voltage that has the same amplitude as the first oscillator 201 but is shifted in phase by a half wavelength.

[0040] Next, a particle trajectory control method according to this embodiment will be described. The particle trajectory control method according to this embodiment corresponds to the operation of the particle trajectory control device 500. First, a liquid containing a plurality of particles is flowed from the inlet 11 of the flow channel 10 of the flow channel device 100. The particle diameter of the particles contained in the liquid may be a single diameter, or may contain particles of two or more different diameters. In the case of a single diameter, the flow direction of the particles can be controlled, and in the case of two or more different diameters, the particles can be separated by particle size.

[0041] Next, while the liquid is flowing through the flow channel 10, vibration is applied to the flow channel 10 through which the liquid is flowing. The vibration is applied using the vibration device 200, for example.

[0042] The vibration may be applied in, for example, the X direction, the Y direction, or the Z direction, or a combination of these directions. For example, vibration may be applied to the flow channel 10 in both the X and Y directions. For example, the phase or amplitude of the vibration applied in the X direction may be different from the phase or amplitude of the vibration applied in the Y direction.

[0043] Applying vibration to the flow channel 10 changes the flow of the liquid within the flow channel 10. As a result, the movement of particles carried by the liquid also changes.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the movement of particles when no vibration is applied to the flow channel 10. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the movement of particles when vibration is applied to the flow channel 10.

[0045] When the diameter of the pillar 14 is Dp, the distance between adjacent pillars 14 is d, and the displacement angle in the Y direction between pillars 14 adjacent in the X direction is θ, the separation diameter Dc is expressed by the following equation: Dc=1.4d(tan θ) ０．４８

[0046] When the diameter of a particle flowing through flow channel 10 is smaller than separation diameter Dc, the particle flows in the X direction. On the other hand, when the diameter of a particle flowing through flow channel 10 is larger than separation diameter Dc, the particle flows in a direction inclined by a displacement angle θ with respect to the X direction.

[0047] 3, when the diameter D1 of the first particle P1 and the diameter D2 of the second particle P2 are smaller than the separation diameter Dc, the first particle P1 and the second particle P2 flow in the X direction along the liquid flow direction. When the diameter of the particle flowing through the flow channel 10 is larger than the separation diameter Dc, the particle flows in a direction inclined by a displacement angle θ with respect to the X direction.

[0048] 4, when vibration is applied to the flow channel 10, the flow of the liquid in the flow channel 10 changes. The movements of the first particle P1 and the second particle P2 that move along the flow of the liquid change compared to when vibration is not applied. For example, when a predetermined vibration is applied to the flow channel 10, the first particle P1 flows in a direction inclined by a displacement angle θ with respect to the X direction, and the second particle P2 flows in the X direction.

[0049] The separation diameter Dc changes by applying vibration to the flow channel 10. For example, in the separation diameter Dc before application of vibration shown in Fig. 3, the diameter D1 of the first particle P1 and the diameter D2 of the second particle P2 are smaller than the separation diameter Dc, whereas in the separation diameter Dc after application of vibration shown in Fig. 4, the diameter Dc is smaller than the diameter D1 of the first particle P1 and larger than the diameter D2 of the second particle P2.

[0050] The reason why the separation diameter Dc changes when vibration is applied is because the flow of liquid around the pillars 14 changes. For example, suppose that vibration causes a vortex to form around the pillars 14. When a vortex is formed around the pillars 14, the effective diameter Dp' of the pillars 14 becomes wider than the actual diameter Dp. The effective spacing d' between adjacent pillars 14 also becomes narrower than the actual spacing d. The spacing between adjacent pillars 14 is a parameter that directly affects the separation diameter Dc. As a result, the separation diameter Dc changes before and after the application of vibration.

[0051] Here, the case where a vortex is formed around the pillar 14 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case because the effective distance d' is affected if the flow of liquid flowing around the pillar 14 changes. For example, when vibration is applied in the Z direction, the flow formed around the pillar 14 differs from when vibration is applied in the XY directions, but the flow of liquid flowing around the pillar 14 changes, and the separation diameter Dc changes.

[0052] As described above, according to the particle trajectory control device 500 of this embodiment, the separation diameter Dc of the flow channel device 100 can be changed by applying vibration to the flow channel device 100 with the vibration device 200. Furthermore, the particle trajectory control device 500 of this embodiment can freely design the separation diameter Dc depending on the vibration conditions. The particle trajectory control device 500 of this embodiment is a highly versatile device that can accommodate various separation diameters Dc.

[0053] 5 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device 501 according to a second embodiment. The particle trajectory control device 501 includes, for example, a flow channel device 110, a vibration device 200, and a signal generator 300. The particle trajectory control device 501 differs from the particle trajectory control device 500 in the configuration of the flow channel device 110.

[0054] 6 is a plan view of a flow channel device 110 according to the second embodiment. The flow channel device 110 differs from the flow channel device 100 in the structure of the flow channel 20. The flow channel 20 of the flow channel device 110 has an inlet 21, an outlet 22, and a particle trajectory control unit 23. The outlet 22 can have the same configuration as the outlet 12. The particle trajectory control unit 23 can have the same configuration as the particle trajectory control unit 13. The pillars 24 in the particle trajectory control unit 23 can also have the same configuration as the pillars 14.

[0055] The inlet 21 has a liquid inlet 21 A and a particle inlet 21 B. The inlet 21 differs from the inlet 11 of the flow channel 10 according to the first embodiment in that the liquid inlet 21 A and the particle inlet 21 B are separate.

[0056] The liquid inlet 21A branches in the Y direction and is connected to the particle trajectory control unit 23. The input end of the liquid inlet 21A to the particle trajectory control unit 23 sandwiches the input end of the particle inlet 21B to the particle trajectory control unit 23 in the Y direction. The input end of the particle inlet 21B to the particle trajectory control unit 23 is located, for example, near the center in the Y direction.

[0057] The liquid input into the particle trajectory control unit 23 from each input end of the liquid inlet 21A flows in the X direction, creating a laminar flow. Particles input from the particle inlet 21B are sandwiched between the laminar flows and flow mainly near the center in the Y direction. The particles flow near the center in the Y direction upstream of the particle trajectory control unit 23, and are separated according to particle size as they move downstream. By controlling the position at which the particles flow upstream of the particle trajectory control unit 23, the accuracy of particle separation can be improved. This is because the separated particles flow into the laminar flow side where no particles were originally present, thereby further suppressing the mixing of particles of different particle sizes.

[0058] Here, as an example, the case where the liquid inlet 21A sandwiches the particle inlet 21B in the Y direction is illustrated, but the configuration of the flow path 20 is not limited to this example. For example, the liquid may form a laminar flow along a first wall surface perpendicular to the Y direction, and the particles may flow along a second wall surface opposite to the first wall surface.

[0059] Furthermore, the liquid flowing from the liquid inlet 21A is not limited to one type, but may be multiple types. For example, multiple laminar flows of different liquid types may be formed in the flow path, and particles may flow obliquely through the multiple laminar flows. By controlling the particle trajectory in this way, it is possible to react the obliquely moving particles with multiple solutions in sequence, or to replace the solution containing the particles.

[0060] 7 is a schematic diagram of a particle trajectory control device 502 according to a third embodiment. The particle trajectory control device 502 includes, for example, a flow channel device 110, a vibration device 210, and a signal generator 300.

[0061] The flow channel device 110 is the same as the particle trajectory control device 501 according to the second embodiment. The flow channel device 110 can also be replaced with the flow channel device 100. The signal generator 300 is the same as the particle trajectory control device 500 according to the first embodiment and the particle trajectory control device 501 according to the second embodiment.

[0062] The vibration device 210 is a vibration plate. The vibration plate is, for example, a piezoelectric actuator. The flow channel device 110 is placed on the vibration plate. The vibration plate vibrates in at least one direction among, for example, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. When the vibration plate vibrates, the flow channel device 110 also vibrates.

[0063] The vibration device 210 can apply vibration to the flow path device 110 simply by placing the flow path device 110 on it. Compared to the vibration device 200, the vibration device 210 does not require any installation work, and this can improve work efficiency.

[0064] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0065] Example 1 A particle trajectory control device 500 shown in FIG. 1 was prepared.

[0066] First, a PDMS channel with micropillars was fabricated by soft lithography. A negative photoresist (SU-8 3025, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) was spin-coated onto a silicon wafer at 2500 rpm to a thickness of 25 μm.

[0067] The SU-8 coated substrate was then prebaked on a hot plate at 95°C for 30 minutes. The SU-8 coated wafer was then irradiated with UV light through a film photomask to pattern the channel design, followed by baking at 90°C for 15 minutes. The photoresist layer was then developed using a developer (PM Thinner, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) to form an SU-8 mold. To facilitate demolding of the PDMS replica, the SU-8 mold was silanized by vapor deposition with chlorotrimethylsilane (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The PDMS prepolymer and curing agent (Toray Industries, Tokyo, Japan) were mixed at a weight ratio of 10:1 and degassed in a vacuum chamber for 60 minutes to remove air bubbles.

[0068] Next, PDMS to be cured was cast onto the SU-8 mold, degassed again for 60 minutes, and then baked in an oven at 90°C for 60 minutes to cure the PDMS.The cured PDMS substrate was then peeled off from the master mold.

[0069] After peeling, a biopsy punch (Kai Industries Co., Ltd.) was used to make holes for the inlet and outlet, each about 1 mm in diameter. After surface treatment with air plasma, the PDMS substrate and the glass substrate were bonded together. Using this procedure, the flow channel device 100 was fabricated.

[0070] Next, two piezoelectric vibrators (7BB-20-6L0, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) were attached to the side walls of the glass substrate of the flow channel device 100. The piezoelectric vibrators correspond to the vibration device 200.

[0071] A function generator and an amplifier were prepared as the signal generator 300 and connected to the piezoelectric vibrator.

[0072] The flow of particles around the pillars 14 of the flow channel device 100 was evaluated. A fluorescent bead suspension with a diameter of 1 μm was introduced into the flow channel device 100. The flow rate of the bead suspension was set to 4 μL / min. To generate vibration, a sinusoidal voltage waveform with a frequency of 31.1 kHz and an amplitude of 70 V was applied to each piezoelectric vibrator. The phase difference between the sinusoidal voltage waveforms applied to each piezoelectric element was set to 1 / 2π.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows the flow of particles around the pillars 14 of the flow channel device of Example 1. The image on the left of FIG. 8 shows the state when vibration is not applied, and the image on the right of FIG. 8 shows the state when vibration is applied. When vibration is not applied, the beads flowed along a laminar flow. In contrast, when vibration is applied, a characteristic streamline pattern is induced around the pillars. In this way, it was confirmed that the flow of fluid around the pillars 14 can be controlled by applying vibration to the flow channel device 100.

[0074] Next, particle movement patterns were evaluated using particles with an average diameter of 7.32 μm and particles with an average diameter of 9.51 μm. Figure 9 shows particle movement in the flow channel device of Example 1. The particles were fluorescently treated, and bright areas indicate particle movement. When no vibration was applied, all particles flowed in a zigzag pattern in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as zigzag mode). In contrast, when vibration was applied, all particles flowed along the displacement angle θ of the pillars 14 (hereinafter referred to as displacement mode). In this way, by switching the application of vibration, the bead trajectories could be switched between displacement mode and zigzag mode.

[0075] Next, particle separation was demonstrated using particles with an average diameter of 2.07 μm and particles with an average diameter of 7.32 μm. Figure 10 shows the results of the demonstration of particle separation in Example 1. The top row of Figure 10 shows the state when no vibration is applied, and the bottom row of Figure 10 shows the state when vibration is applied. In Figure 10, the movement of particles in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sections of the particle trajectory control unit 13 is confirmed, and the final particle distribution is shown in the graph on the far right.

[0076] In the absence of vibration, both the 2 μm and 7 μm beads flowed in a zigzag mode, and the Y-direction positions of each particle in the flow direction (X-direction) remained almost constant.

[0077] In contrast, when vibration was applied to the flow channel device 100, the 7 μm beads flowed in a displacement mode. In contrast, the 2 μm beads flowed in a zigzag mode, with no change occurring before or after the application of vibration. Because the 7 μm beads flowed in a displacement mode, they were biased toward one end in the Y direction. In contrast, the 2 μm beads remained in their initial state and were distributed throughout the entire Y direction. In other words, it was confirmed that the separation diameter Dc of the flow channel device 100 can be changed by applying vibration.

[0078] Example 2 A particle trajectory control device 501 shown in Fig. 5 was prepared. The flow channel device 110 was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1. The vibration device 200 was a piezoelectric vibrator (7BB-20-6L0, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.), which was attached to the X-direction, side surface, and side surface in the Y-direction.

[0079] In Example 2, particle separation was demonstrated using particles with an average diameter of 2.07 μm and particles with an average diameter of 7.32 μm. In Example 2, particles were fed from particle inlet 21B at 0.4 μL / min, and solution was fed from liquid inlet 21A at 3.6 μL / min. The flow rate in the particle trajectory control unit was set to 4 μL / min.

[0080] Figure 11 shows the results of particle separation verification in Example 2. The top row of Figure 11 shows the state when vibration is not applied, and the bottom row of Figure 11 shows the state when vibration is applied. In Figure 11, the movement of particles in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sections of the particle trajectory control unit 23 is confirmed, and the final particle distribution is shown in the graph on the far right.

[0081] When no vibration was applied, both the 2 μm beads and the 7 μm beads flowed in a zigzag mode, and both the 2 μm beads and the 7 μm beads flowed along the laminar flow formed by the liquid supplied from the liquid inlet 21A.

[0082] In contrast, when vibration was applied to the flow channel device 110, the 7 μm beads flowed in a displacement mode. In contrast, the 2 μm beads flowed in a zigzag mode, and no change occurred before or after the application of vibration. Because the 7 μm beads flowed in a displacement mode, they were biased to one end in the Y direction. In contrast, the 2 μm beads flowed along a laminar flow. In Example 2, the 2 μm beads and the 7 μm beads could be separated with a higher degree of resolution than in Example 1.

[0083] Example 3 In Example 3, a particle trajectory control device 502 shown in FIG. 7 was prepared. The flow channel device 110 was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1. A piezoelectric actuator (Mestic Co., Ltd.) was used as the vibration device 210. In Example 3, the strength of the voltage applied to the vibration device 210 was changed. The greater the voltage applied to the vibration device 210, the greater the vibration of the vibration device 210.

[0084] 12 shows the results of demonstrating particle separation in Example 3. It can be seen that the greater the voltage applied to the vibration device 210, the more accurate the particle separation becomes.

[0085] Example 4 In Example 4, whole blood containing white blood cells, red blood cells, etc. was fed into the flow path device instead of a fluorescent bead suspension. Figure 13 shows the results of the demonstration of blood cell separation in Example 4. As shown in Figure 13, it was confirmed that white blood cells and red blood cells could be separated.

[0086] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 flow channel element 2 substrate 10, 20 flow channel 11, 21 inlet 12, 22 outlet 13, 23 particle trajectory control device 14, 24 pillar 21A liquid inlet 21B particle inlet 100, 110 flow channel device 200 vibration device 201 first oscillator 202 second oscillator 210 vibration device 300 signal generator 500, 501, 502 particle trajectory control device d, d' spacing D1, D2, Dp, Dp' diameter Dc separation diameter P1 first particle P2 second particle

Claims

1. A particle trajectory control device comprising a flow path device and a vibration device, wherein the flow path device has a flow path in which a plurality of pillars are arranged inside, and the vibration device is configured to apply vibration to the flow path device.

2. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a first vibrator that applies at least vibration in a first direction that is the flow direction of the flow path.

3. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a second vibrator that applies at least vibration in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction which is the flow direction of the flow path.

4. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a third vibrator that applies at least vibration in a third direction that is orthogonal to the surface on which the flow path is formed.

5. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device has a diaphragm, and the flow path device is placed on the diaphragm.

6. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a first vibrator that contacts a first side surface of the flow path device, and a second vibrator that contacts a second side surface different from the first side surface of the flow path device.

7. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a third vibrator that contacts the bottom surface or the top surface of the flow path device.

8. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device includes a piezo element that applies vibration to the flow path device.

9. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 2, wherein the first vibrator is a piezo element.

10. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 3, wherein the second vibrator is a piezo element.

11. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 4, wherein the third vibrator is a piezo element.

12. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 6, wherein the first vibrator and the second vibrator are piezo elements.

13. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1, further comprising a signal generator, wherein the signal generator is connected to the vibration device.

14. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 6, wherein the first vibrator and the second vibrator have different vibration amplitudes or phases.

15. The plurality of pillars have a plurality of columns, and each of the plurality of columns is composed of a plurality of pillars arranged in a direction intersecting a first direction which is a flow direction of the flow path. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1.

16. The shortest distance between the plurality of pillars is 1 nm or more and 10 mm or less. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1.

17. The flow path device has a liquid inlet for feeding liquid into the flow path and a particle inlet for feeding particles into the flow path. In a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the flow path, an input end of the particle inlet is sandwiched between input ends of the liquid inlets. The particle trajectory control device according to claim 1.

18. A method for controlling a trajectory of particles, comprising: a first step of flowing a liquid containing a plurality of particles through a flow path in which a plurality of pillars are arranged; and a second step of applying vibration to the flow path.

19. In the second step, vibration is applied to the flow path in each of a first direction which is a flow direction of the flow path and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The method for controlling a trajectory of particles according to claim 18.

20. In the second step, vibration is applied to the flow path in a third direction orthogonal to a surface on which the flow path spreads. The method for controlling a trajectory of particles according to claim 18.

21. A phase or amplitude of vibration applied in the first direction is different from a phase or amplitude of vibration applied in the second direction. The method for controlling a trajectory of particles according to claim 19.

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