Massive Microfluidics Multiplexed CTC Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices face challenges in efficiently detecting and counting rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) due to low assay throughput, high costs, and the need for extensive detection hardware, which is not feasible with large numbers of microfluidic channels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a massive microfluidic technique that reduces assay time through label-free multiplexed surface marker detection using transit-time analysis in ultra-high-throughput flow cytometry, allowing for efficient detection and sorting of CTCs with a significantly reduced number of electronic channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of microfluidic channels is increased to improve CTC detection throughput, then assay throughput is improved, but detection hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple microfluidic channels share a common detection zone and detection electronics. The patent integrates several channels into a single detection region where cells from different channels are simultaneously analyzed by shared electronic components, eliminating the need for separate detectors per channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection electronics serve multiple functions by analyzing cells from multiple channels simultaneously. A single detection system performs the work of multiple independent detectors, providing universal detection capability across all microfluidic channels through time-multiplexed or spatial-multiplexed approaches.
2Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used for rare CTCs, then detection sensitivity is improved, but assay time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cells are pre-focused and concentrated into a narrow stream before entering the detection zone using hydrodynamic focusing or inertial forces. This preliminary action ensures that rare CTCs are positioned optimally for detection, increasing detection sensitivity without requiring longer assay times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sampling or time-multiplexed detection where cells are detected in rapid sequential intervals. This allows high-throughput analysis maintaining sensitivity by ensuring each cell receives adequate detection time while processing large numbers of cells efficiently.
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 high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed surface marker detection with reduced assay time and cost, achieving a more efficient design by dramatically increasing the number of microfluidic channels while minimizing detection hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
transit-time analysis in ultra-high-throughput flow cytometry
Implementation Method 2
the use of dielectrophoresis (DEP) actuation to enhance cellular interaction with surface coated antibodies or other types of molecular recognition molecules
Implementation Method 3
electrical impedance sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidics device includes an inlet, a plurality of parallelized microfluidic channels, a splitter and a plurality of detection electrodes. The inlet receives a fluidic sample including biological particles. The parallelized microfluidic channels include interaction zones for analysis of the biological particles. The splitter transmits the fluidic sample into the parallelized microfluidic channels. Detection electrodes can conduct the analysis. Each detection electrode is shared among the parallelized microfluidic channels. The detection electrodes are spatially encoded electrodes arranged on locations of each of the parallelized microfluidic channels.