Modular DLD Particle Sorting Device with Pressure Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle sorting equipment using the deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) principle faces challenges such as particle clogging, limited range of sizes that can be sorted, and the need for complex design adjustments for different samples, which restricts its adaptability and effectiveness, especially when isolating particles like viruses or exosomes from blood samples.
Innovation Solution
The equipment employs a modular design with multiple sorting stages connected in series, each using the DLD principle, and incorporates a pressure control mechanism using a balancing solution that maintains equal pressure at all outlets, preventing particle diversion and ensuring consistent sorting across varying particle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pillar arrays with varying inter-pillar spacings are connected in series to sort particles of different sizes, then the range of particle sizes that can be sorted is improved, but the risk of particle clogging between pillars increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the particle sorting task into multiple independent sorting stages, each with pillar arrays optimized for specific particle size ranges. Each stage operates independently with controlled pressure to prevent clogging while maintaining the ability to sort particles across a broad size spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts pressure parameters at each sorting stage to optimize particle flow. By controlling pressure to maintain equal pressure at all outlets, the system prevents particle diversion and ensures consistent sorting across varying particle sizes without causing clogging.
2Reliability
If the same pressure is applied across the entire width at the outlet of each zone to maintain streamline distribution, then particle sorting by DLD phenomenon is preserved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A balancing solution is introduced as an intermediary fluid to control pressure at the outlets of sorting stages. This balancing solution allows pressure equalization without requiring complex direct pressure control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device while maintaining reliable streamline distribution.
3Measurement precision
If pillar arrays with small inter-pillar spacings are used to sort small particles like viruses or exosomes, then the sorting precision for small particles is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the sorting function across multiple stages, with each stage handling a specific particle size range. This allows the use of standard manufacturing processes for each individual stage rather than requiring ultra-precise manufacturing for the entire device, while still achieving high sorting precision for small particles like viruses or exosomes.
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 allows reliable sorting of particles across multiple size ranges without clogging, adapts to different sample types, and overcomes manufacturing constraints, enabling the isolation of particles like viruses and exosomes from blood samples by ensuring consistent pressure across all sorting stages.
Implementation Method 1
pressure control means (3) arranged to maintain equal pressure at all outlets
Implementation Method 2
Sorting equipment is used to sort particles according to their size in a fluidic sample. Some equipment used for size sorting implements the principle known as 'deterministic lateral displacement,' also called DLD.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a particle sorting equipment by size range, said particles being contained in a fluidic sample, said equipment comprising n sorting stages (Ei) of rank i particles, connected in series, each sorting stage of rank i comprising a first output (OUTi_1) for recovering the particles sorted by this sorting stage of dimensions less than a critical diameter and a second output (OUTi_2) for recovering the particles sorted by this sorting stage of dimensions greater than said critical diameter and means (3) for controlling the fluid pressure applied on the first output (OUTI_1) of each sorting stage (Ei) of rank i and on the second output (OUTI_2) of each sorting stage of rank i, so as to balance the fluid pressure between the first output and the second output of each sorting stage of rank i.