Method and device for trapping and analysing cells and the like

摘要

A system and method of determining biomechanical properties of a cell. A cell is introduced into a multiport flow device, the device being configured such that during fluid flow at least one stagnation zone arises in an expected location within the device. The cell is trapped in the stagnation zone of the device. A selected physical stimulus is applied to the cell, such as rotation, stretching or time-varying shear rate. The cell is observed while trapped to detect an absolute, differential and/or transient effect of the applied physical stimulus and to thereby determine biomechanical properties of the cell. Disease diagnosis may follow, by comparison to a normal control. Selectively directing the cell to a chosen outlet based on observed properties provides cell sorting, which may be implemented in parallel to increase throughput and/or in series to enlarge sorting criteria. Micro-particles may be investigated by use of appropriate particle model.