Microfluidic Particle Sorting with Transverse Flow Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic devices are prone to clogging and inefficient when analyzing samples like seawater, as they are not scalable for large quantities and require multiple chemical steps for particle concentration and sorting.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a transverse flow filter and a microfluidic sorter, which concentrates particles using a labyrinth of interconnected passageways to sort and deliver them according to size, allowing for scalable and chemical-minimal particle concentration and sorting in fluids like seawater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing microfluidic devices are used to sort particles, then particle sorting is achieved, but the devices are easily clogged and rendered inoperable when analyzing certain samples
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple sorting stages with progressively smaller pore sizes. The first sorting stage has a first pore size, and the second sorting stage has a second pore size smaller than the first pore size. This segmentation allows particles to be sorted in sequence, preventing clogging by progressively filtering out particles of different sizes rather than attempting to sort all particles in a single stage.
2Quantity of substance
If centrifuges are used for particle concentration, then particle concentration is achieved, but the devices are not portable and not scalable to large quantities of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical centrifugal separation system with a microfluidic filtration system that uses pressure-driven flow through membranes with controlled pore sizes. This substitution enables the device to be portable and scalable while achieving particle concentration through the transverse flow filter and sorting stages, eliminating the need for large centrifugal machinery.
3Quantity of substance
If adsorption-elution systems are used for particle concentration, then particle concentration is achieved, but multiple elution steps and tailored chemicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical adsorption-elution process with a physical filtration and sorting mechanism using transverse flow filtration and microfluidic sorting stages. This mechanical/physical approach concentrates and sorts particles through pressure-driven flow through selectively sized pores, eliminating the need for multiple chemical elution steps and tailored chemicals while reducing device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If existing microfluidic devices sort particles by size, then particle sorting is achieved, but the devices are not scalable to large quantities of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple sorting stages with progressively smaller pore sizes that can be stacked or arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows the device to maintain precise size-based sorting capability while processing larger volumes of liquid, as each stage handles a specific size range and the system can be scaled by adding more stages rather than increasing the size of a single sorting element.
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 system effectively concentrates and sorts microbial organisms in large volumes of fluid with minimal chemical use, preventing clogging and improving the efficiency of particle analysis by using a transverse flow filter and microfluidic sorter.
Implementation Method 1
The transverse flow filter concentrates the particles in a retained portion of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
Each sorting stage has a labyrinth of interconnected passageways dimensioned to permit passage from the respective input to a respective output for the sorting stage of those of the particles smaller than a respective size for the sorting stage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method sorts particles suspended in a fluid. The system includes a transverse flow filter and a microfluidic sorter. The transverse flow filter concentrates the particles in a retained portion of the fluid. The microfluidic sorter sorts the particles and includes a delivery channel and at least one sorting stage. The delivery channel is dimensioned to permit passage of all the particles in the retained fluid from the transverse flow filter. The delivery channel delivers the particles in the retained fluid to a respective input for each sorting stage and exhausts a remainder of both the particles and the retained fluid at a drain output. Each sorting stage has a labyrinth of interconnected passageways dimensioned to permit passage from the respective input to a respective output for the sorting stage of those of the particles smaller than a respective size for the sorting stage.