METHODS OF AND DEVICES FOR CAPTURING CIRCULATING TUMOR CELLS

摘要

A device and methods are provided for efficient and quick capture of target cells through a main microchannel having capture elements immobilized thereon and manipulating a velocity profile of a sample as it passes through the main microchannel. The cell capture device may have a main microchannel with a depth slightly larger than the diameter of the target cells and a plurality of side microchannels. The side microchannels may have a depth smaller than the diameter of the target cells. The device and methods may be used for early cancer detection.

主权项

1. A method of capturing target cells, comprising:
passing a sample through a main microchannel having capture elements immobilized on at least one surface of the main microchannel; manipulating a velocity profile of the sample as it passes through the main microchannel such that the target cells move laterally in the main microchannel; and filtering non target cell portions of the sample out of the main microchannel, wherein the size of a cross-section of the main microchannel is in the order of a diameter of the target cells such that an encounter rate between the target cells and the capture elements is increased; wherein an inlet flow rate of the main microchannel is greater than an outlet flow rate of the main microchannel.