Fingered electrodes for microfluidic single particle analysis

摘要

The electrical properties of particle solutions can be investigated on a single particle basis by using micro fluidic channels. The impedance can be measured across the channel using at least one pair of conductive electrodes, at least one electrode of a pair being a fingered electrode having a plurality of fingers. The pattern of fingered electrodes creates a longer and more complicated measurement signal shape which leads to a significant improvement of measurement sensitivity. An application for the proposed technology is to significantly improve the measurement sensitivity of impedance measurements on blood cells, leading to a better differentiation between different types of white blood cells. Better measurement sensitivity also enables the measurement of smaller particles and higher throughput.

主权项

1. A measurement device for investigating particles which are suspended in a carrier liquid, comprising at least a first pair of measurement electrodes for carrying out an electrical measurement of the particles, wherein at least one electrode of the pair of measurement electrodes is a fingered electrode having a plurality of fingers, wherein the fingers are positioned perpendicular to a flow of the carrier liquid and wherein the fingers are irregularly spaced according to a random sequence code, wherein the irregular spacing provides an improved signal to noise ratio for the measurement device.