Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS-based integrated particle identification system having a substrate, a magnetic structure, and a bioferrograph. The substrate includes a topside portion, backside portion and a flow system. The flow system includes a flow channel for accepting the flow of a stream of particles to identified. The magnetic structure is in physical communication with the topside and backside portions of the substrate and has at least two pole pieces. A plurality of pole piece embodiments are provided for generating a magnetic field that acts on magnetically susceptible particles in the flow stream. The bioferrograph has at least one sensor for identifying the presence and quantity of magnetically susceptible particles. A plurality of sensor embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS-based integrated particle identification system having a substrate, a magnetic structure, and a bioferrograph. The substrate includes a topside portion, backside portion and a flow system. The flow system includes a flow channel for accepting the flow of a stream of particles to identified. The magnetic structure is in physical communication with the topside and backside portions of the substrate and has at least two pole pieces. A plurality of pole piece embodiments are provided for generating a magnetic field that acts on magnetically susceptible particles in the flow stream. The bioferrograph has at least one sensor for identifying the presence and quantity of magnetically susceptible particles. A plurality of sensor embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS-based integrated particle identification system having a substrate, a magnetic structure, and a bioferrograph. The substrate includes a topside portion, backside portion and a flow system. The flow system includes a flow channel for accepting the flow of a stream of particles to identified. The magnetic structure is in physical communication with the topside and backside portions of the substrate and has at least two pole pieces. A plurality of pole piece embodiments are provided for generating a magnetic field that acts on magnetically susceptible particles in the flow stream. The bioferrograph has at least one sensor for identifying the presence and quantity of magnetically susceptible particles. A plurality of sensor embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for continuously separating particles of interest from a heterogeneous particle population. The heterogeneity can be based on, for example, magnetic susceptibility, particle size, thermal diffusion, phase solubility, and combinations of the preceding. Based on the heterogeneity, a separation force capable of exploiting the separand (i.e., particles subject to the separation process) is provided. The various embodiments of the present invention preferably employ an annular separation channel, appropriate separation force and flow compartments. In a first embodiment, an annular separation channel having semi-permeable inner and outer cylindrical walls is used to generate lateral convection forces. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an annular separation channel having heat conductive inner and outer cylindrical walls is used to generate thermal diffusion forces.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fraction sorting of cells is provided. The invention include a dispensing device, aspirating device, flow channel and a magnetic assembly. A first fractional sorting device includes a dipole fractional cell sorter. The dipole fractional cell sorter includes large aspect ratio flow channel and a dipole magnetic assembly. A second fractional sorting device includes a quadrupole fractional cell sorter. The quadrupole fractional cell sorter includes an annular flow channel having inlet and outlet splitters, and a quadrupole magnetic assembly. The quadrupole magnetic assembly includes pole pieces having projecting members with convex surfaces and in is in physical communication with the annular flow chamber. The method of the present invention provides a flow through fractional cell sorting process which is based on the application of a magnetic force to cells having a range of magnetic labeling densities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: A method for separating cells is presented. The method provides a flow through fractional cell sorting process that is based on the application of a magnetic force to cells having a range of magnetic labeling densities. Magnetically labeled cells are introduced into a flow channel. The cells are continuously fractionated into flow streams based on magnetic susceptibility by subjecting the cells in the flow channel to a magnetic field. The fractionated cells are recovered based on their response to the magnetic field. Methods employing dipole fractional sorters and quadrapole annular sorters are also presented.