Micro-device and methods for disrupting cells

Abstract

A micro-device for disrupting cells includes a first chamber in which the cells are disrupted, a second chamber which is pressurized and depressurized, a flexible membrane which separates the first chamber and the second chamber and is vibrated by pressuring and depressurizing the second chamber, and a micro-unit confined in the first chamber, where the micro-unit disrupts the cells in the first chamber

1 . A micro-device for disrupting cells, the micro-device comprising
 a first chamber in which the cells are disrupted;   a second chamber configured to be pressurized and depressurized;   a flexible membrane separating the first chamber and the second chamber and configured to vibrate when the second chamber is pressurized and depressurized; and   a micro-unit for disrupting cells confined in the first chamber,   wherein the second chamber comprises an interior space for periodically or non-periodically adjusting the pressure therein such that the flexible membrane is vibrated,   and wherein the micro-device comprises:   an upper plate with a space defining the first chamber; and   a lower plate with a space defining the second chamber;   wherein the flexible membrane is disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate; the first chamber is delimited by the upper plate and the flexible membrane, and the second chamber is delimited by the lower plate and the flexible membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The micro-device of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-unit comprises a plurality of microbeads. 
     
     
         3 . The micro-device of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber comprises: an inlet, through which the cells are introduced; and an outlet, through which contents of disrupted cells are released. 
     
     
         4 . The micro-device of  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber comprises a plurality of sub-chambers. 
     
     
         5 . The micro-device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of microbeads comprises at least one of a glass bead, a metallic bead and a metal oxide bead. 
     
     
         6 . The micro-device of  claim 2 , wherein the micro-unit further comprises an organic layer disposed on a surface of the plurality of microbeads. 
     
     
         7 . The micro-device of  claim 6 , wherein the organic layer comprises at least one of an antibody, an aptamer, a receptor, a ligand and organosilane. 
     
     
         8 . The micro-device of  claim 2 , wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of microbeads is in a range of about 1 micrometer to about 500 micrometers. 
     
     
         9 . The micro-device of  claim 2 , wherein a density of the plurality of microbeads is in a range of about 1 gram per cubic centimeter to about 20 grams per cubic centimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The micro-device of  claim 5 , wherein the metallic bead comprises at least one of steel and stainless steel, and the metal oxide bead comprises at least one of ZrO 2 , SiO 2 , Al2O 3 , Fe 2 O 3  and TiO 2 . 
     
     
         11 . The micro-device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the inlet and the outlet has a size that is less than that of the micro-unit. 
     
     
         12 . The micro-device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the inlet and the outlet has a size greater than that of the micro-unit, and the first chamber further comprises at least one projection on an inner surface of the at least one of the inlet and the outlet, wherein the at least one projection makes an effective size of the at least one of the inlet and the outlet less than a size of the micro-unit. 
     
     
         13 . The micro-device of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane has a thickness of about 1 micrometer to about 5 millimeters. 
     
     
         14 . The micro-device of  claim 1 , wherein the cells include at least one of bacteria, virus and fungi. 
     
     
         15 . A micro-device comprising:
 a membrane;   a first chamber which is partly delimited by the membrane;   a second chamber which is partly delimited by the membrane;   a plurality of microparticles in the first chamber, wherein the plurality of microparticles contacts the membrane; and   a port in fluid communication with the second chamber,   wherein the membrane is vibrated by pressurizing and depressurizing the second chamber,   wherein the second chamber comprises an interior space for periodically or nonperiodically adjusting the pressure therein such that the flexible membrane is virbrated,   and wherein the micro-device comprises:   an upper plate with a space defining the first chamber; and   a lower plate with a space defining the second chamber;   wherein the flexible membrane is disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate; the first chamber is delimited by the upper plate and the flexible membrane, and the second chamber is delimited by the lower plate and the flexible membrane.   
     
     
         16 . The micro-device of  claim 15 , wherein the second chamber comprises a plurality of sub-chambers. 
     
     
         17 . The micro-device of  claim 15 , wherein a density of the plurality of microparticles is in a range of about 1 gram per cubic centimeter to about 20 grams per cubic centimeter.