Micropore Array Particle Sorting with Infrared Laser Coatings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell-based therapies face challenges in purifying therapeutic cells from deleterious cells efficiently and at high throughput, necessitating high-purity methods for isolating rare stem cells and immune cell types with minimal adverse consequences for patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of micropore arrays with a coating that interacts with lasers to extract cells of interest, enhancing cell viability and extraction efficiency by disrupting the meniscus of the liquid in the pores without direct laser exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lasers are directed directly at the liquid holding cells, then extraction efficiency can be improved, but cell viability deteriorates due to direct laser exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer comprising infrared-absorbing material is applied to the inner surface of the well plate. This coating acts as an intermediary that absorbs laser energy and converts it to thermal energy, which then heats the liquid and disrupts the meniscus indirectly. The coating mediates between the laser and the cells, enabling extraction without direct laser exposure to the cells, thus maintaining both extraction efficiency and cell viability.
2Productivity
If high flow rates are used for cell sorting, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flow-based sorting with a laser-induced thermal field approach. By using infrared-absorbing coatings and laser heating to manipulate cell extraction through meniscus disruption, the system achieves high-speed sorting without relying on high flow rates that would increase contamination risk. The thermal field substitution eliminates the need for high fluid flow while maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional cell sorting methods are used, then cell purity can be achieved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pulsed laser irradiation to periodically disrupt the meniscus in each well, enabling rapid sequential extraction of cells. The periodic laser pulses allow for high-speed processing while maintaining precise control over which cells are extracted, thus achieving both high sorting speed and high cell purity through controlled periodic action rather than continuous slow processing.
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
Enables high-speed cell sorting rates of up to 10,000 cells per second with maintained cell viability and sterility, reducing contamination and flow-rate constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The coating can comprise an infrared-absorbing material. The laser can be directed at the coating, and the coating can be heated by the laser
Implementation Method 2
the coating can be heated by the laser, wherein the heating of the coating can disrupt a meniscus of the liquid in the well
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods for particle sorting. An array may comprise a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The substrate may comprise a plurality of pores defining lumens extending from the first surface to the second surface. The plurality of pores can be configured to receive a sample solution comprising a plurality of particles. The array may further comprise a surface material provided at or adjacent to the first or second surfaces. The surface material may comprise a plurality of materials that are configured to modify a wetting behavior of the sample solution or the plurality of particles at or adjacent to said first or second surfaces, such that one of the first or second surfaces is hydrophilic, and the other of the first or second surfaces is hydrophobic.