Micropore Array Cell Sorting via Laser-Induced Meniscus Disruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell sorting technologies face challenges in achieving high-speed, sterile, and high-purity cell isolation with minimal impact on cell viability and function, particularly for rare stem cells and immune cell types, due to limitations in existing methods for differential surface marker expression and contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

The use of micropore arrays with a surface material that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, allowing for laser-induced disruption of the surface material to release cells without direct laser exposure to the liquid, thereby enhancing cell viability and extraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lasers are directed directly at the liquid holding cells, then cell extraction efficiency can be improved, but cell viability deteriorates due to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell extraction efficiencyVSAvoidthermal damage to cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an infrared-absorbing coating as an intermediary layer between the laser and the cells. The coating absorbs the laser energy and converts it to thermal energy, which then disrupts the meniscus to release cells. This mediator approach allows indirect heating, achieving cell extraction while minimizing direct thermal exposure to the cells themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat absorption function from the bulk liquid and concentrates it in a thin infrared-absorbing coating layer. This separation allows the thermal effect to be applied precisely at the meniscus interface without heating the entire liquid volume, thereby protecting cells from excessive thermal damage while maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If high-speed cell sorting is implemented, then productivity is improved, but contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sorting speedVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical flow-based sorting systems with a static micropore array system. Cells are loaded once into the micropores and then individually released using laser activation of the infrared coating. This eliminates the need for continuous fluid flow and mechanical handling, thereby maintaining sterility while achieving high sorting speeds of up to 10,000 cells per second.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional cell sorting methods are used, then cell isolation can be achieved, but flow-rate constraints limit sorting speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting speedVSAvoidflow-rate control requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell sorting process into discrete individual events. Each micropore acts as an independent sorting unit, and cells are released one at a time through localized laser activation of the infrared coating. This segmentation eliminates the need for bulk flow control, allowing each pore to operate independently at maximum speed without flow-rate constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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-speed cell sorting rates of up to 10,000 cells per second with maintained cell viability and sterility, reducing contamination risks and eliminating flow-rate constraints, while minimizing thermal impact on the cells.

Implementation Method 1

the surface material is selected from a material that absorbs greater than 10 percent of incident electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

lasers are directed to surfaces of the array rather than directly at the liquid holding the particles of interest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

the coating can in some instances peel off and concurrently disrupt a meniscus of a liquid held in the micropore array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20210339246A1Ultrafast particle sorting

Publication Date: 2021.11.04 ORCA BIOSYSTEMS INC

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