Microfluidic particle analysis method, device and system

摘要

The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.

主权项

1. A microfluidic particle analysis device comprising:
a microfluidics body; a microfluidics channel in said body holding a fluid flow of a liquid containing one or more cell-sized particles, said fluid flow provided via a port in communication with said microfluidics channel, said port providing two different operational pressures of said fluid flow; at least one trapping region of said microfluidics channel, said at least one trapping region comprising a deformable wall portion configured to have two operational heights when subjected to the two different operational pressures applied by said fluid flow in said channel, the two operational heights of the deformable wall portion comprising:
a first height configured to allow one or more cell-sized particles of interest to pass into said trapping region via said fluid flow in said channel; anda second height configured to trap one or more cell-sized particles of a given size within said trapping region of said channel by contacting said one or more cell-sized particles to substantially prevent movement of said one or more cell-sized particles, and to allow fluid flow through said trapping region via said fluid flow in said channel; such that said one or more cell-sized particles having a given size are selectively retained in said trapping region by a change in physical dimensions of said region caused by a change in pressure applied in the channel containing the particles; wherein said two different operating pressures are pressures applied in the microfluidics channel by the liquid carrying the particles and that do not damage cells in said channel and do not appreciably deform portions of said channel outside of said trapping region.