Biodevice Cell Sorting via Electric Field Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited ability to effectively sort cells on biochips due to variations in cell size, shape, and polarizability, as well as the characteristics of the fluid they are suspended in, hampers cell manipulation and subsequent functions such as collection, isolation, and testing, restricting the widespread use of biochip devices.
Innovation Solution
A biochip system that employs size-based and dimension-orientation sorters using fluid barrier structures and temporally varying non-uniform electric fields to discriminate and separate cells based on their size and orientation, allowing cells to pass through openings aligned with their dimensions and electric field alignment, while preventing non-compatible cells from passing through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electric fields are applied to manipulate cells, then cell movement and separation can be achieved, but the sorting ability is limited by cell size, aggregation, polarizability, and fluid characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cell sorting process into multiple stages: initial separation by polarizability using electric fields, followed by size-based filtering through arrays of openings with decreasing diameters. This multi-stage segmentation allows the system to handle diverse cell types effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-dimension electric field manipulation to a two-dimensional approach combining electric field-based polarizability separation with physical size-based spatial filtering through progressively smaller openings, adding a spatial dimension to the sorting process.
2Productivity
If biochip devices are used for cell manipulation, then miniaturization and integration are achieved, but cell sorting capability is hampered by limited manipulation functions
Solution Approach 1:
The biochip device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: electric field generation for polarizability-based separation, fluid flow control for transport, and size-based filtering through arrays of openings. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive cell manipulation within a miniaturized device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses fluid flow as an intermediary to transport cells through the sorting mechanism, while electric fields act as intermediaries to manipulate cell positions based on polarizability. These intermediary mechanisms enable efficient cell handling in the miniaturized device.
3Manufacturing precision
If cells are sorted by size through arrays of openings, then size-based separation is achieved, but cells must be properly oriented to pass through openings
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies preliminary electric field-based separation and orientation before cells reach the size-based filtering arrays. This preliminary action aligns cells and removes aggregates, ensuring that cells are properly positioned and oriented for efficient size-based sorting through the openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient sorting of cells by size and orientation, facilitating their collection and transport, thereby enhancing the functionality of biochip devices and overcoming previous limitations in cell manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
discriminate cells based on at least one of a size and a dimensional orientation of the cells by moving the cells within a fluid flow path in a first direction through a succession of arrays of fluid flow openings with each array of fluid flow openings permitting passage of a different sized cell
Implementation Method 2
which groups the cells by size for transport away from the openings via dielectrophoresis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sorting cells for a biodevice comprises directing a flow of cells within a fluid into a filtration structure defining an array of fluid openings and encouraging cell passage of each cell of a portion of the cells through the fluid openings based on at least one dimension of each cell via application of an electric field within the fluid openings.