University of Texas System

University of California

Peter R C Gascoyne

Frederick F Becker

Jody Valentine Vykoukal

Xiao-Bo Wang

Peter A Krulevitch

Ying Chi Huang

Jon Alexander Schwartz

Chandra Das

Raymond P Mariella, Jr

Robin R Miles

Julie K Hamilton

Bernhard Boser

Adam B Eldredge

Joseph W Balch

Harold D Ackler

Stefan P Swierkowski

Christopher K Fuller

Jun Yang

Jody Vykoukal

Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.

Programmable fluidic processors

Methods and apparatus for preparing a smear for cytopathology or other analysis. In a representative embodiment, cells of a sample are subjected to a dielectrophoretic force to segregate the cells into two or more zones of a surface. The particles are attached to the surface, thereby defining a 'segregated smear.' The segregated smear is then fixed and stained for cytopathology analysis.

Methods and apparatus for electrosmear analysis

Methods and apparatuses for discriminating matter utilizing dielectrophoresis combined with magnetophoresis. A sample having one or more constituents is injected into an inlet port of a chamber. A carrier medium flow is initiated at the inlet port to establish a flow within the chamber. A dielectrophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. A magnetophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. The dielectrophoretic force and magnetophoretic forces are balanced to position the constituents within the chamber. The constituents are then collected at one or more outlet ports of the chamber according to the dielectric and magnetic characteristics of the constituents. The constituents may be collected as a function of time-of-exit from the chamber and/or position within the chamber.

Method and apparatus for combined magnetophoretic and dielectrophoretic manipulation of analyte mixtures

Methods and apparatus for discriminating matter in a chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port utilizing dielectrophoresis and field flow fractionation. A carrier medium is introduced into the inlet port and is directed from the inlet port to the outlet port according to a velocity profile. A programmed voltage signal is applied to an electrode element coupled to the chamber to form a dielectrophoretic force on the matter. The dielectrophoretic force is balanced with a gravitational force to displace the matter to positions within said velocity profile in the carrier medium to discriminate the matter. A chamber having a top and bottom outlet port may be utilized to withdraw a first portion of a carrier medium from the top outlet port at a first, controllable fluid flow rate and to withdraw a second portion of the carrier medium from the bottom outlet port at a second, controllable fluid flow rate.

Method and apparatus for fractionation using conventional dielectrophoresis and field flow fractionation

A microfabricated instrument for detecting and identifying cells and other particles based on alternating current (AC) impedance measurements. The microfabricated AC impedance sensor includes two critical elements: 1) a microfluidic chip, preferably of glass substrates, having at least one microchannel therein and with electrodes patterned on both substrates, and 2) electrical circuits that connect to the electrodes on the microfluidic chip and detect signals associated with particles traveling down the microchannels. These circuits enable multiple AC impedance measurements of individual particles at high throughput rates with sufficient resolution to identify different particle and cell types as appropriate for environmental detection and clinical diagnostic applications.

Microfabricated AC impedance sensor

Manipulation of DNA molecules in solution has become an essential aspect of genetic analyses used for biomedical assays, the identification of hazardous bacterial agents, and in decoding the human genome. Currently, most of the steps involved in preparing a DNA sample for analysis are performed manually and are time, labor, and equipment intensive. These steps include extraction of the DNA from spores or cells, separation of the DNA from other particles and molecules in the solution (e.g. dust, smoke, cell/spore debris, and proteins), and separation of the DNA itself into strands of specific lengths. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a phenomenon whereby polarizable particles move in response to a gradient in electric field, can be used to manipulate and separate DNA in an automated fashion, considerably reducing the time and expense involved in DNA analyses, as well as allowing for the miniaturization of DNA analysis instruments. These applications include direct transport of DNA, trapping of DNA to allow for its separation from other particles or molecules in the solution, and the separation of DNA into strands of varying lengths.

Microfluidic DNA sample preparation method and device

The present disclosure is directed to a novel apparatus and novel methods for the separation, characterization, and manipulation of matter. In particular, the invention combines the use of frequency-dependent dielectric and conductive properties of particulate matter and solubilized matter with the properties of the suspending and transporting medium to discriminate and separate such matter. The apparatus includes a chamber having at least one electrode element and at least one inlet and one output port into which cells are introduced and removed from the chamber. Matter carried through the chamber in a fluid stream is then displaced within the fluid by a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force caused by the energized electrode. Following displacement within the fluid, matter travels through the chamber at velocities according to the velocity profile of the chamber. After the matter has transmitted through the chamber, it exits at the opposite end of the chamber at a characteristic position. Methods according to the invention involve using the apparatus for discriminating and separating matter for research, diagnosis of a condition, and therapeutic purposes. Examples of such methods may include separation of mixtures of cells, such as cancer cells from normal cells, separation of parasitized erythrocytes from normal erythrocytes, separation of nucleic acids, and others.

Method and apparatus for fractionation using generalized dielectrophoresis and field flow fractionation

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Bellaire, TX, United States of America

Peter R C Gascoyne