Fluidic flow cytometry devices and particle sensing based on signal-encoding

Abstract

Microfluidic devices, systems and techniques in connection with particle sorting in liquid, including cytometry devices and techniques and applications in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A microfluidic particle sorting device comprising:
 a microfluidic input channel for receiving a sample fluid, the sample fluid comprising a plurality of particles;   a particle sorting junction coupled to the microfluidic input channel;   a plurality of microfluidic output channels in fluid communication with the sorting junction, the plurality of output channels comprising a first output channel and a second output channel; and   a piezoelectric actuator in fluid communication with the sorting junction that bends in a first direction in response to a first sorting control signal to direct a target particle of the plurality of particles to the first output channel and bends in a second direction in response to a second sorting control signal to direct the target particle to the second output channel.   
     
     
         30 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of microfluidic output channels further comprises a third output channel, wherein the target particle flows to the third output channel when the piezoelectric actuator does not deflect. 
     
     
         31 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , wherein the first sorting control signal comprises a positive voltage and the second sorting control signal comprises a negative voltage. 
     
     
         32 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , further comprising an actuation chamber, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the actuation chamber, and wherein the piezoelectric actuator is in fluid communication with the sorting junction through the actuation chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 32 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator bends in the first direction towards the actuation chamber and bends in the second direction away from the actuation chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator bending in the first direction causes a flow disturbance in a first flow disturbance direction that directs the target particle to the first output channel and bending in the second direction causes a flow disturbance in a second flow disturbance direction that directs the target particle to the second output channel. 
     
     
         35 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a layer comprising lead zirconate titanate. 
     
     
         36 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of particles comprises cells. 
     
     
         37 . The microfluidic particle sorting device of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of particles comprises beads. 
     
     
         38 . A microfluidic particle sorting system comprising:
 an optical detector; and   a microfluidic cartridge comprising:
 a microfluidic input channel for receiving a sample fluid, the sample fluid comprising a plurality of particles; 
 a particle sorting junction coupled to the microfluidic input channel; 
 a plurality of microfluidic output channels in fluid communication with the sorting junction, the plurality of output channels comprising a first output channel and a second output channel; and 
 a piezoelectric actuator in fluid communication with the sorting junction that bends in a first direction in response to a first sorting control signal to direct a target particle of the plurality of particles to the first output channel and bends in a second direction in response to a second sorting control signal to direct the target particle to the second output channel. 
   
     
     
         39 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 38 , where the optical detector is coupled to the first output channel to detect a presence of the target particle in the first output channel. 
     
     
         40 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 39 , wherein the optical detector produces a branch verification signal upon detecting the presence of the particle in the first output channel. 
     
     
         41 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 40 , further comprising a particle sorter control module in communication with the optical detector, wherein the particle sorter control module receives the branch verification signal from the optical detector and verifies whether the target particle is directed into the first output channel. 
     
     
         42 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 41 , wherein the particle sorter control module further comprises a delay counter that delays actuation of the piezoelectric actuator for an amount of time. 
     
     
         43 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 42 , wherein the amount of time equals a travel time of the target particle arriving at the sorting junction. 
     
     
         44 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 42 , wherein the amount of time is adjustable. 
     
     
         45 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 41 , wherein the particle sorter control module records a sorting efficiency. 
     
     
         46 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 38 , wherein the optical detector detects an optical signal carrying information indicative of a property of the target particle. 
     
     
         47 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 46 , wherein the optical signal comprises light emitted or scattered from the target particle when the target particle is in the input channel. 
     
     
         48 . The microfluidic particle sorting system of  claim 38 , wherein the optical detector comprises a photomultiplier tube.