Opto-fluidic Particle Sorting via Optical Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cell sorting, such as FACS and LCM, are limited by their requirement for large cell samples, electrical interconnects, and proprietary materials, and lack scalability and efficiency in removing live cells without support electronics or electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A particle sorting apparatus with a substrate having multiple chambers, an optical force source, and a detection system that applies an optical force to particles under flow, allowing for rapid and precise sorting of cells based on visual information without electrical interconnects, enabling scalable and efficient removal of live cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flow-assisted cell sorting (FACS) is used to achieve high throughput sorting, then sorting speed is improved, but the method requires large cell samples and cannot sort based on temporal and spatial behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting speedVSAvoidcell sample size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cell sorting process into individual chamber-based operations, where each chamber can hold and manipulate single cells or small groups of cells independently. This segmentation allows for precise control of small cell numbers while maintaining sorting capability, resolving the contradiction between high throughput and large sample requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional flow-based sorting to a spatial array-based approach, adding the dimension of spatial positioning. Cells are manipulated in defined spatial locations (chambers) rather than continuous flow, enabling temporal and spatial behavior analysis while maintaining sorting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If laser capture microdissection (LCM) is used to sort non-viable cells, then cell selection precision is improved, but the method requires proprietary films and electrical interconnects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell selection precisionVSAvoidsupport electronics and proprietary materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces electrical and mechanical systems (electrical interconnects, proprietary films) with optical fields for cell manipulation. Optical tweezers and optical trapping enable precise cell selection and manipulation without requiring complex electrical infrastructure or proprietary consumables, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical trapping system is self-contained and does not require external electrical interconnects or proprietary support electronics. The optical fields are generated and controlled within the device itself, making the system more autonomous and less dependent on complex external infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional sorting methods are used to remove cells, then sorting capability is achieved, but the process takes prolonged time and causes cell damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell removal speedVSAvoidcell damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical cell manipulation methods with optical trapping and manipulation. Optical tweezers enable gentle, contactless cell handling that minimizes mechanical stress and damage while achieving rapid cell removal, resolving the contradiction between speed and cell integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical trapping system uses periodic or pulsed optical fields to manipulate cells, allowing for controlled, reversible cell manipulation. This periodic action enables rapid cell removal while giving cells brief intervals without stress, reducing cumulative damage and maintaining cell viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus enables rapid, precise sorting of cells with minimal cell damage, allowing for the removal of single cells in seconds and the patterning of particles on substrates, improving throughput and scalability compared to existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a controllable optical force source operationally connected to said sorter applying an optical force to said particles having a beam waist about comparable to a diameter of said particle whose sorting is desired

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical force: Optical Tweezers

Data Source

PatentUS8691151B2Opto-fluidic architecture for particle manipulation and sorting

Publication Date: 2014.04.08 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

This invention provides an apparatus for particle sorting, particle patterning, and methods of using the same. The sorting or patterning is opto-fluidics based, in that particles are applied to individual chambers in the device, detection and/or analysis of the particles is carried out, such that a cell or population whose removal or conveyance is desired is defined, and the cell or population is removed or conveyed via application of an optical force and flow-mediated conveyance or removal of the part.