Microfluidic device

摘要

Described herein are particular embodiments relating to a microfluidic device that may be utilized for cell sensing, counting, and/or sorting. Particular aspects relate to a microfabricated device that is capable of differentiating single cell types from dense cell populations. One particular embodiment relates a device and methods of using the same for sensing, counting, and/or sorting leukocytes from whole, undiluted blood samples.

主权项

1. A method for analyzing cells, the method comprising:
a) introducing a blood sample comprising fluorescently labeled cells and fluorescently labeled control beads to an inlet of a first microfluidic channel that gradually narrows, wherein the fluorescently labeled cells are labeled with a fluorophore different than a fluorophore label of the control beads; b) flowing the blood sample from the inlet of the first microfluidic channel to an outlet of a second microfluidic channel, wherein the second microfluidic channel is directly coupled to the first microfluidic channel; c) exciting the fluorophores of the fluorescently labeled cells and of the fluorescently labeled control beads using an excitation source; d) detecting fluorescence of the fluorescently labeled cells and fluorescence of the fluorescently labeled control beads as they pass through a detection zone in the second microfluidic channel, wherein the detection is performed on individual cells; e) measuring the fluorescence of the fluorescently labeled cells and of the fluorescently labeled beads using a light sensor; and f) using the measured fluorescence to thereby provide a result concerning the blood sample.