Furlani E.P.
University at Buffalo (SUNY), US
Keywords: cell sorting, immunomagnetic cell sorting, magnetic cell sorting, magnetophoretic microsystem
We present a microsystem concept and mathematical model for the continuous sorting of magnetically labeled cells. The microsystem consists of two inlets, two partially connected microchannels, and two outlets. A soft-magnetic element is positioned beneath the lower microchannel, and is magnetized using an applied field. Inlet I provides a continuous flow of both magnetically labeled and unlabeled cells into the upper microchannel. Inlet II provides a continuous flow of carrier fluid into the lower microchannel. The inlet flows are balanced so that the fluid entering from each inlet remains in its respective microchannel. Immediately following the inlets, there is an open region that connects the two channels, however beyond this region the channels are separated from one another, and ultimately terminate at respective outlets. The magnetized element produces a nonuniform field distribution across the open region that pulls the magnetically labeled cells into the lower channel thereby separating the labeled from the unlabeled cells. We present a model for predicting the motion of the cells that takes into account the dominant magnetic and fluidic forces in the microsystem. We use the model to study cell transport, and our analysis indicates that the microsystem is capable of efficient cell separation.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 352 - 355
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 1-4200-6184-4