Microfluidic Leukocyte Sorting via Fluorescent Labeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell sensors and actuators are bulky, expensive, and require large sample volumes, generating waste, and often necessitate dilution of cell samples to avoid interference and clogging, which limits their accuracy and speed in differentiating and sorting leukocytes.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic apparatus with defined channels and a detection system using Acridine orange dye for fluorescent labeling and detection, allowing for accurate counting and differentiation of leukocytes without lysing erythrocytes or fixing the sample, and enabling sorting of cells directly from undiluted blood samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cell sensors and actuators are used, then cell analysis can be performed, but the devices are bulky, expensive, and require large sample volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional bulky cell sensor system is segmented into a microfabricated device with integrated channels, detection zones, and sorting mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to be miniaturized while maintaining cell analysis functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device volume.
2Measurement precision
If conventional cell sensors are used, then cell analysis can be performed, but large sample volumes are required, generating waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for large sample volumes by using a microfabricated device that processes cells in a minimized fluid environment. The device achieves accurate cell analysis with significantly reduced sample input, thereby extracting the waste generation aspect from the system while preserving measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If sample dilution is performed to avoid interference and clogging, then cell flow can be maintained, but accuracy and speed of leukocyte differentiation and sorting are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The microfabricated device applies local quality by creating specific channel geometries and flow conditions in different regions. The channels are designed with appropriate dimensions and surface properties to maintain cell flow without dilution, while detection zones are optimized for rapid leukocyte differentiation. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity.
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
The microfluidic device enables precise and efficient leukocyte counting and differentiation with reduced sample volume and waste, achieving high throughput and minimizing interference from erythrocytes, thus improving the accuracy and speed of cell analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A microfluidic apparatus with defined channels and a detection system using Acridine orange dye for fluorescent labeling and detection
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are particular embodiments relating to a microfluidic device that may be utilized for cell sensing, counting, and/or sorting. Particular aspects relate to a microfabricated device that is capable of differentiating single cell types from dense cell populations. One particular embodiment relates a device and methods of using the same for sensing, counting, and/or sorting leukocytes from whole, undiluted blood samples.