Label-free cellular manipulation and sorting via biocompatible ferrofluids

1. A method for separating at least one target particle from a sample, the method comprising:

suspending two or more particles in a biocompatible ferrofluid to form a sample;

passing the sample through a microfluidic channel; and

applying a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel, the magnetic field pattern configured to sort the at least one target particle of the two or more particles into at least one outlet based on one or more characteristics of the at least one target particle.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channel traverses a plurality of electrodes, and wherein applying a magnetic field comprises applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create the magnetic field.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one target particle is sorted by directing the at least one target particle to a selected outlet.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one target particle is sorted by trapping the at least one target particle based on a spacing of at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more characteristics are selected from the group consisting of size, shape and cell elasticity.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one target particle is at least one cell type.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the method comprises suspending two or more cell types in the biocompatible ferrofluid.

8. A device for separating a sample of particles suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid, the device comprising:

a microfluidic channel having an inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample of particles can be added to the inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet;

a plurality of electrodes traversing at least a portion of the microfluidic channel length; and

a power source for applying a current to at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein a spacing between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes is variable.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least one electrode layer.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of electrodes includes two or more electrode layers in a substantially orthogonal pattern.

12. The device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises a pattern of concentric circles.

13. The device of claim 8 , wherein one or more walls of the microfluidic channel length include a pocketed, a ridged, a grooved, a trenched or a sloped region.

14. The device of claim 8 , wherein the sample of particles includes living cells.

15. The device of claim 8 , wherein one or more walls of the microfluidic channel length include one or more contours to effect the concentration or dispersion of particles flowing through the microfluidic channel.

16. The device of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic field pattern is configured to separate at least one target particle from the sample of particles contained in the ferrofluid.

17. A system for separating at least one target from a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid, the system comprising:

a microfluidic channel having an inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the inlet and the at least one outlet wherein a sample suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid can be added to the inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet;

a plurality of electrodes traversing at least a portion of the microfluidic channel length and generating a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length when a current is applied to at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes; and

at least one target in the sample;

wherein the at least one target is separated from the sample as the at least one target flows along at least a portion of the microfluidic channel length.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the sample comprises living cells.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one target is separated from the sample based on a characteristic of the at least one target selected from the group consisting of target size, target shape and target elasticity.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein a spacing between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes is changed.

21. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one target is separated from the sample by directing the at least one target to a selected outlet or trapping the at least one target based on a spacing of at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

22. The system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least one electrode layer.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the plurality of electrodes includes two or more electrode layers in a substantially orthogonal pattern.

24. The system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises a pattern of concentric circles.

25. The system of claim 17 , wherein one or more walls of the microfluidic channel length include a pocketed, a ridged, a grooved, a trenched or a sloped region.

26. The system of claim 17 , wherein one or more walls of the microfluidic channel length include one or more contours to effect the concentration or dispersion of particles flowing through the microfluidic channel.

27. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one target is separated from the sample based on one or more characteristics of the at least one target.