Cell separation using microchannel having patterned posts

摘要

A micro flow device (11, 71) for separating or isolating cells from a bodily fluid or other liquid sample uses a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by a pattern of transverse posts (23, 81). The posts are spaced across the width of an expanded collection chamber region (17, 75) in the flow path, extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof; they have rectilinear surfaces, being curved in cross-sections, e.g. circular or tear-drop shaped, and are randomly arranged so as to disrupt streamlined flow. The device is oriented so that its lower surface is aligned at about 45° to the horizontal. Sequestering agents, such as Abs, which are attached to surfaces of the collection region via a hydrophilic coating, preferably a permeable hydrogel containing isocyanate moieties, are highly effective in capturing cells or other targeted biomolecules while the remainder of the liquid sample exits horizontally.

主权项

1. A microflow apparatus comprising:
a body comprising an inlet passageway, an outlet, and a microchannel arrangement extending between said inlet passageway and outlet to form a collection region, wherein said microchannel arrangement comprises a plurality of transverse separator posts being integral with a base surface and projecting therefrom, wherein said posts are arranged in an irregular pattern that has the characteristics selected from the group consisting of 1) said posts having at least two different cross-sectional sizes, about 70 μm to about 130 μm in diameter, 2) said posts having at least two different cross-sectional sizes and minimum separation spacing between posts is from about 50 μm to about 70 μm, 3) said posts having at least two different cross-sectional sizes and occupying about 15% to about 25% of the total volume of the collection region, 4) said posts having about 70 μm to about 130 μm in diameter and minimum separation spacing between posts is from about 50 μm to about 70 μm, 5) said posts having about 70 μm to about 130 μm in diameter and occupying about 15% to about 25% of the total volume of the collection region, and 6) said posts having minimum separation spacing between posts from about 50 μm to about 70 μm and occupying about 15% to about 25% of the total volume of the collection region.