Micro-fluidic system using micro-apertures for high throughput detection of cells

摘要

A microfluidic detection system for micrometer-sized entities, such as biological cells, includes a detector component incorporating a plate with a plurality of opening, the plate separating two chambers, one in communication with a fluid source containing target cells bound to magnetic beads. The openings are sized to always permit passage of the magnetic beads therethrough into a lower one of the chambers and are further sized to always prevent passage of the target cells from the upper one of the chambers. The detector component further includes a magnet positioned to pull unbound magnetic beads through the openings and to capture target cells bound to magnetic beads on the surface of the plate. The microfluidic detection system includes a pump flowing the fluid through the detector component at high flow rates of milliliters per minute for high throughput detection of target cells.

主权项

1. A microfluidic detection system for detection of target cells in a fluid, the system comprising:
(a) a plurality of magnetic beads, wherein each of said magnetic beads comprises a binding group that is capable of binding specifically to the target cells when said magnetic beads are added to the fluid containing the target cells, and wherein each of said magnetic beads has a largest effective dimension that is smaller than a smallest effective dimension of the target cells; and (b) a detector component comprising:
a body defining a reservoir;a plate disposed within said reservoir and separating said reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein said plate defines a plurality of openings therethrough, each opening having an effective dimension that is larger than the largest effective dimension of said magnetic beads and smaller than the smallest effective dimension of the target cells;wherein said body comprises a first inlet to said first chamber and a first outlet from said first chamber; andwherein said first chamber has a smallest effective dimension of about 0.5 mm to enable a flow of fluid through said first chamber at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per minute; anda magnet disposed in a cavity in said body so that said second chamber and said plate are situated between said magnet and said first chamber, wherein said magnet exerts a specific magnetic force and is arranged at a specific distance from said plate to generate a magnetic force at a surface of said plate facing said first chamber sufficient (i) to attract unbound said magnetic beads in said first chamber to said second chamber through said openings and (ii) to attract and hold the target cells bound to said magnetic beads on said surface of said plate without being moved away from said surface of said plate by fluid flowing through said first chamber.