Abstract: A microscale cell filter for separating and isolating cancer cells within a sample having an inlet flow channel; an outlet flow channel; and a single row of a plurality of post elements between the inlet flow channel and the outlet flow channel, the plurality of post elements being interspaced, forming a plurality of gaps, each gap formed in between two adjacent post elements; the plurality of post elements is arranged such that a sample flowing from the inlet flow channel to the outlet flow channel passes through the plurality of gaps; the plurality of post elements is arranged such that a width of each gaps is 3 to 8 micrometers; and each gap has an aspect ratio between its height and width in the range of 3.5 to 5, thereby trapping the cells within the sample at an upstream side of the single row of a plurality of post elements.

Abstract: A microscale cell filter for trapping a sub-portion of cells within a sample has: an inlet flow channel; an outlet flow channel; and a plurality of post elements arranged between inlet and outlet. The plurality of post elements is interspaced, forming a plurality of gaps, each gap being formed in between two adjacent post elements. The plurality of post elements is arranged such that a flow of the sample from the inlet to the outlet passes through the plurality of gaps. The plurality of post elements is arranged such that a width of each gaps is 3 to 6 micrometers. Each of the plurality of post elements has an elongation such that each gap has an aspect ratio between its width and its height being larger than 3.5, thereby trapping the sub-portion of the cells within the sample at an upstream side of the plurality of post elements.