Micro-reactor for observing particles in a fluid

摘要

A micro-reactor is provided for observing small particles, cells, bacteria, viruses or protein molecules in a fluid. The micro-reactor includes a first channel for containing the fluid and a second channel adjacent to the first channel. A gap connects the first channel and the second channel and a window transparent to the method of inspection is provided at the gap. A static or dynamic gradient, such as a gradient in concentration of a chemical or biological material, in pressure, in temperature, in electric potential, or in magnetic field, is applied across the gap, thereby causing the particles to cross the gap. By detecting a property of the particles upstream in the first channel and then applying a pressure burst over the channels when the property meets certain pre-set criteria, only selected particles can be placed in the gap.

主权项

1. A micro-reactor for observing particles or parts thereof in a fluid, while the micro-reactor is in a predetermined orientation, the micro-reactor comprising:
a first and second layer, the first and second layers being horizontal in the predetermined orientation, the first layer having at least a first window that is transparent to visible light a first channel formed between the first and second layers for containing the fluid, the first channel having an inlet and an outlet both opening to an exterior of the microreactor, at the first channel the first and second layers being separated by a first distance, a second channel at least partially adjacent to the first channel, the second channel having an inlet and an outlet both opening to the exterior of the microreactor, the first and second layers at the second channel being separated by a second distance, the inlet of the second channel being distinct from the inlet and the outlet of the first channel, a gap directly connecting the first channel and the second channel along the adjacent portion, the gap formed within a channel wall common to the first and second channels, at the gap the first layer having a second window transparent to x-rays or charged particles, at the second window, the first and second layers being separated by a third distance smaller than the first distance and smaller than the second distance, and the third distance being equal to or smaller than 5 μm.