Continuous Cell Sorting by Dielectrophoresis in a Straight Microfluidic Channel

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) has been demonstrated as an effective mechanism for cell sorting in microfluidic settings. Many existing methods utilize sophisticated microfluidic designs that require complicated fabrication process and operations. In this paper, we present a microfluidics-based cell sorter that is capable of sorting microparticles continuously in a simple straight channel, thus facilitating easier fabrication and operation. An array of indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes are embedded on the bottom surface of the straight channel to generate a DEP force field. This force results in deviation of the particles with different dielectric properties from their paths that are hydrodynamically focused in the channel. Particle trajectories are predicted by numerical simulation at different flow rates and field strengths using COMSOL. Separation of red blood cells from polystyrene beads is demonstrated and numerical prediction is validated experimentally. High separation efficiency for the two particle types is confirmed by counting the concentrations of particles collected at the respective collection outlet.

Advances in Microfluidics for Single Red Blood Cell Analysis

“…A proportional relationship has been found between the electrode pitch and strength of the electric field, while the dielectrophoresis is proportional to the cubic radius of the particles (i.e., cells) [281]. In a separate but similar experiment, human RBCs have been sorted from polystyrene beads using the dielectrophoretic separation method [282].…”

Efficient and Shape-Sensitive Manipulation of Nanoparticles by Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum Modes in All-Dielectric Metasurfaces

“…The laser light from higher-power lasers produces a thermal effect that can disrupt the structure of nanoscale particles or kill living cells. Second, current multiple-particle sorting methods, such as microfluidic centrifugal force [10], acoustic sorting [11,12], electric field-induced DEP [13,14], and electrophoresis [15,16], mainly focus on using differences in physical properties such as mass, size, refractive index, or conductivity between different particles to achieve effective sieving. However, sorting nanoparticles with similar refractive indices but different shapes is still a significant challenge.…”

Blood cells separation microfluidic chip based on dielectrophoretic force

“…The microfluidic chip [3,4] has the characteristics of small amount of sample required, short reaction time, high product conversion rate and low waste generation rate, used in various biomedical and chemical analysis. Commonly used microfluidic chip particles separation technologies mainly include fluorescence technology (FACS) [5], magnetic technology (MACS) [6] and dielectrophoresis separation technology [7][8][9][10], while the microfluidic chip based on dielectrophoresis technology has become an important means of particle manipulation and separation with its advantages of noninvasiveness, high efficiency, low cost and label-free [11][12][13], and has important practical value. Dielectrophoresis is divided into positive and negative.…”