Methods for Segregating Particles Using an Apparatus with a Size-Discriminating Separation Element Having an Elongate Leading Edge

摘要

The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are unable to pass through a narrower passageway bounded by a segregating step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The breadth of the leading edge of at least one step of the apparatus is significantly greater than the overall width of the passageway in which the step occurs, permitting high and rapid sample throughput. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate circulating tumor cells from a human blood sample.

主权项

1. An apparatus for segregating smaller and larger particles, the apparatus comprising:
a body and a cover that define a void therebetween, the void containing a separation element that segregates an inlet region and an outlet region of the void, the separation element defining, together with a surface of the void,
a channel that fluidly connects the inlet and outlet regions by way of a separating portion, the channel having
an overall width at the separating portion anda height defined by the distance between the separation element and the surface of the void, at least one of the body, the cover, and the separation element bearing a segregating step disposed within and having a leading edge extending substantially completely across the separating portion of the channel, whereby the channel is divided into an upstream portion on the inlet side of the leading edge and a substantially lamellar downstream portion on the outlet side of the leading edge,
the height of the upstream portion being sufficient to facilitate passage therethrough of both larger and smaller particles,the height of the downstream portion being sufficient large to facilitate passage therethrough of the smaller particles and sufficiently small to inhibit passage therethrough of the larger particles, andthe breadth of the leading edge being substantially greater than the overall width of the channel at the separation region, whereby the particles can be segregated by passing them through the channel, and recovering particles based on their ability to traverse the segregating step.