Label-free cellular manipulation and sorting via biocompatible ferrofluids
A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one output, and a length between the sample inlet and the at least one output, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes, wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses the plurality of electrodes, and further includes a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel. The present invention also includes a method for separating at least one cell type. The method includes the steps of suspending cells in a bio-compatible ferrofluid to form a sample, passing the sample through a microfluidic channel that transverses a plurality of electrodes, applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel, and sorting the cells into at least one output channel based on a variation of at least one of cell size, shape and elasticity.
1. A device for separating a sample of particles suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid, comprising:
a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one output, and a length between the sample inlet and the at least one output, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the length to the at least one outlet;
a plurality of electrodes comprising a plurality of electrode layers, wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes; and
a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the spacing between electrodes is gradually increased.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the spacing between electrodes is gradually decreased.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise at least one electrode layer.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrode layers is in a substantially orthogonal pattern.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the walls of the microfluidic channel length include a pocketed, a ridged, a grooved, a trenched or a sloped region.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes at an angle between about 1-90 degrees.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the particles are living cells.
9. A system for separating at least one target from a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid, comprising:
a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one output, and a length between the sample inlet and the at least one output, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the length to the at least one outlet;
a plurality of electrodes, wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, and generating a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel when a current is applied to the electrodes; and
at least one target in a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid;
wherein the at least one target is separated from the remaining sample as the at least one target passes along at least a portion of the microfluidic channel length, and wherein the at least one target is a cell or a particle.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the sample comprises living cells.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a suitable amount of ionic species to control the osmotic pressure on the cells to promote cell sustainability.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a citrate concentration of between about 5-200 mM.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a citrate concentration of about 40 mM.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid has a pH of about 7.4.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one target is separated based on target size.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one target is separated based on target shape.
17. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one target is separated based on target elasticity.
18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spacing between electrodes is gradually increased.
19. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spacing between electrodes is gradually decreased.
20. The system of claim 9 , wherein the target is separated by being directed to a selected outlet.
21. The system of claim 9 , wherein the target is trapped based on the spacing of electrodes.
22. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise at least one electrode layer.
23. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise a plurality of electrode layers.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of electrode layers is in a substantially orthogonal pattern.
25. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise a pattern of concentric circles.
26. The system of claim 9 , wherein the walls of the microfluidic channel length include a pocketed, a ridged, a grooved, a trenched or a sloped region.
27. The system of claim 9 , wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes at an angle between about 1-90 degrees.
28. A method for separating at least one cell type, comprising:
suspending two or more cell types in a biocompatible ferrofluid to form a sample;
passing the sample through a microfluidic channel that transverses a plurality of electrodes;
applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel; and
sorting the cells into at least one output channel based on a variation of at least one of cell size, shape and elasticity;
wherein the cells are separated at an efficiency of at least about 90%.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a suitable amount of ionic species to control the osmotic pressure on the cells to promote cell sustainability.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid has a pH of about 7.4.
31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a citrate concentration of between about 5-200 mM.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the biocompatible ferrofluid comprises a citrate concentration of about 40 mM.
33. The method of claim 28 , wherein the separated cells are being directed to a selected outlet.
34. The method of claim 28 , wherein the separated cells are being trapped based on the spacing of electrodes.
35. The method of claim 28 , wherein the size resolution in separating is less than about 10 μm.
36. The method of claim 28 , wherein the cells are separated in less than about 1 minute.
37. A system for separating at least one target from a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid, comprising:
a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one output, and a length between the sample inlet and the at least one output, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the length to the at least one outlet;
a plurality of electrodes, wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, and generating a magnetic field pattern along the length of the microfluidic channel when a current is applied to the electrodes; and
at least one target in a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid;
wherein the at least one target is separated from the remaining sample as the at least one target passes along at least a portion of the microfluidic channel length, and
wherein the microfluidic channel length transverses at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes at an angle between about 1-90 degrees.