Microfluidic system and method with focused energy apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method of identifying objects includes: a microfluidic chip in which are disposed a plurality of channels, the micro-fluidic chip including: a main fluid channel into which a sample fluid mixture of objects to be identified is introduced; a plurality of sheath fluid channels into which sheath fluids are introduced, the sheath fluids which orient the objects in the main fluid channel in a predetermined direction while still maintaining laminar flow in the main fluid channel; an interrogation apparatus which detects and interrogates the oriented objects in the main fluid channel; and a focused energy apparatus which performs an action on the objects.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . An apparatus which identifies objects, said apparatus comprising:
 a microfluidic chip in which are disposed a plurality of channels, including:   a main fluid channel into which a sample fluid mixture of objects to be identified is introduced;   a first focused energy apparatus which performs a first action on the objects;   an interrogation apparatus which detects and interrogates the objects in the main fluid channel; and   a second focused energy apparatus which performs a second action on the objects.   
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the first focused energy apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects; and   wherein the first focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alter the environment around the objects to align and/or orient the objects and affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel.   
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the second focused energy apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects; and   wherein the second focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alters the environment around the objects to move the objects and affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel.   
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the first action or the second action comprises an electromagnetic wave directed to the objects; and
 wherein the electromagnetic wave or the radiation pressure is provided in pulsed or continuous manner or fashion.   
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the interrogation apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits a light beam to illuminate the object.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the interrogation apparatus aligns and/or orients the objects; and/or identifies a characteristic of the objects. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising:
 at least one guiding apparatus; and   wherein the at least one guiding apparatus guides the electromagnetic wave, radiation pressure or light beam in the direction of the object.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the at least one guiding apparatus comprises:
 at least one optical fiber and/or at least one lens or at least one beam shaping optics.   
     
     
         73 . A method to identify objects, the method comprising:
 introducing a sample fluid mixture of objects into a main fluid channel of a micro fluidic chip;   performing a first action on the objects by a first focused energy apparatus;   detecting and interrogating the objects in the main fluid channel with an interrogation apparatus; and   performing a second action on the objects by a second focused energy apparatus.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the first focused energy apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects; and   wherein the first focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alter the environment around the objects to align and/or orient the objects; and/or   wherein the electromagnetic wave or radiation pressure affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel.   
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the second focused energy apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects; and   wherein the second focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alter the environment around the objects to move the objects; and/or   wherein the electromagnetic wave or radiation pressure affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the action comprises an electromagnetic wave or an radiation pressure directed to the objects;
 wherein the electromagnetic wave or the radiation pressure is provided in pulsed or continuous manner or fashion.   
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the interrogation apparatus comprises:
 at least one laser which emits a light beam to illuminate the object.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the interrogation apparatus aligns and/or orients the objects; and/or identifies a characteristic of the objects. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the first focused energy apparatus, the interrogation apparatus, and/or the second focused energy apparatus comprise
 at least one guiding apparatus; and   wherein the at least one guiding apparatus guides the electromagnetic wave, radiation pressure or light beam in the direction of the object.   
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the at least one guiding apparatus comprises:
 at least one optical fiber and/or   at least one lens or at least one beam shaping optics.   
     
     
         81 . A kit for identifying objects comprising a microfluidic chip in which are disposed a plurality of channels, including:
 a main fluid channel into which a sample fluid mixture of objects to be identified is introduced;   a first focused energy apparatus which performs a first action on the objects;   an interrogation apparatus which detects and interrogates the objects in the main fluid channel; and   a second focused energy apparatus which performs a second action on the objects.   
     
     
         82 . The kit of  claim 81 ,
 wherein the first focused energy apparatus comprises:   at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects;   wherein the first focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alter the environment around the objects to align and/or orient the objects and affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel;   wherein the second focused energy apparatus comprises:   at least one laser which emits an electromagnetic wave or a radiation pressure in the direction of the objects; and   wherein the second focused energy apparatus acts on externally or alters the environment around the objects to move the objects and affects the objects' geometry relative to the main fluid channel; and   wherein the interrogation apparatus comprises:   at least one laser which emits a light beam to illuminate the object; and   wherein the interrogation apparatus aligns and/or orients the objects; and/or identifies a characteristic of the objects.   
     
     
         83 . The kit of  claim 81 , further comprising:
 at least one guiding apparatus; and   wherein the at least one guiding apparatus guides the electromagnetic wave, radiation pressure or light beam in the direction of the object.   
     
     
         84 . The kit of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one guiding apparatus comprises:
 at least one optical fiber and/or at least one lens or at least one beam shaping optics.