Princeton University

University of California

Kevin Loutherback

Robert H Austin

James Christopher Sturm

Keith Morton

Jason Puchalla

Liang Chen

Hoi-Ying N Holman

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, systems and devices for measurement and visualization of chemical dynamics in living cells or tissues for diagnostic pathology. Devices can be open- or closed-channel microfluidic membrane devices for long-term IR spectroscopy of live adherent cells and ultimately for rapidly identifying time-dependent spectral features indicative of chemical abnormality in individual cells.

Spectroscopy imaging and analysis of live cells

The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Bump array device having asymmetric gaps for segregation of particles

The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from, or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Kevin Loutherback