Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting submillimetric particles entrained in a fluid flowing in an axial direction of a main channel, the particles being of density different from the density of the fluid, and the method being characterized in that it implements, in a first region of the main channel, focusing of the particles along a wall (7) of the main channel (1) by means of at least one focusing device (3), and downstream from said region, collecting of particles in at least one sorting and take-off device (40) in communication with the main channel (1) via an opening such that the particles collected are selected by the take-off device as a function of the size of said particles, and in that said at least one sorting and take-off device is a recirculation chamber (40) in communication with the main channel (1) and presenting at least one recirculation zone (41) for concentrating the collected particles.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for controlled encapsulation of particles of sub-millimetric dimensions, or clusters of such particles, the device comprising: a first duct for delivering a first liquid phase containing particles for encapsulating in suspension; a second duct for conveying a flow of a second liquid phase that is immiscible with said first liquid phase; the first duct opening out into the second duct and forming a fluidic junction therewith; at least one microfluidic duct for discharging the first liquid phase flowing in said first duct and provided with a mouth located upstream from said junction and liable to be obstructed, at least in part, by a particle in suspension, thereby causing pressure to rise in the first duct. The invention also provides a microfluidic system including such a device, and a method of encapsulation based on using such a device.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters, and for the continuous and automated encapsulation of the clusters, once sorted, in capsules of sizes suitable for those of these sorted clusters is provided. The microfluidic system comprises a substrate in which a microchannel array comprising a cell sorting unit is etched and around which a protective cover is bonded, and the sorting unit comprises deflection means capable of separating, during the flow thereof, relatively noncohesive cell clusters, each of size ranging from 20 ?m to 500 ?m and of 20 to 10 000 cells approximately, such as islets of Langerhans, at least two sorting microchannels arranged in parallel at the outlet of said unit being respectively designed so as to transport as many categories of sorted clusters continuously to a unit for encapsulation of the latter, also formed in said array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system including a unit for extracting elements from one liquid phase to at least one other liquid phase, a use of said system for performing said extraction, preferably for gelling polymer capsules coating such elements by cross-linking, and a method for extracting said elements. Said system comprises a substrate in which a network of micro-channels is etched, including a unit (10) for extracting elements (E), including: a depleting micro-channel (11) which carries a first phase (A) to be depleted; at least one enriching channel (12) which carries a second phase (B) to be enriched, said micro-channels meeting at two junctions upstream (Ja) and downstream (Jb) and forming a transfer chamber (13) between said junctions, each junction being such that the micro-channels are axially parallel or form an acute angle on either side of the junction; and a transfer means (14) arranged in the depleting micro-channel for diverting the elements towards the enriching micro-channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting submillimetric particles entrained in a fluid flowing in an axial direction of a main channel, the particles being of density different from the density of the fluid, and the method being characterized in that it implements, in a first region of the main channel, focusing of the particles along a wall (7) of the main channel (1) by means of at least one focusing device (3), and downstream from said region, collecting of particles in at least one sorting and take-off device (40) in communication with the main channel (1) via an opening such that the particles collected are selected by the take-off device as a function of the size of said particles, and in that said at least one sorting and take-off device is a recirculation chamber (40) in communication with the main channel (1) and presenting at least one recirculation zone (41) for concentrating the collected particles.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters, and for the continuous and automated encapsulation of the clusters, once sorted, in capsules of sizes suitable for those of these sorted clusters is provided. The microfluidic system comprises a substrate in which a microchannel array comprising a cell sorting unit is etched and around which a protective cover is bonded, and the sorting unit comprises deflection means capable of separating, during the flow thereof, relatively noncohesive cell clusters, each of size ranging from 20 ?m to 500 ?m and of 20 to 10 000 cells approximately, such as islets of Langerhans, at least two sorting microchannels arranged in parallel at the outlet of said unit being respectively designed so as to transport as many categories of sorted clusters continuously to a unit for encapsulation of the latter, also formed in said array.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for controlled encapsulation of particles of sub-millimetric dimensions, or clusters of such particles, the device comprising: a first duct for delivering a first liquid phase containing particles for encapsulating in suspension; a second duct for conveying a flow of a second liquid phase that is immiscible with said first liquid phase; the first duct opening out into the second duct and forming a fluidic junction therewith; at least one microfluidic duct for discharging the first liquid phase flowing in said first duct and provided with a mouth located upstream from said junction and liable to be obstructed, at least in part, by a particle in suspension, thereby causing pressure to rise in the first duct. The invention also provides a microfluidic system including such a device, and a method of encapsulation based on using such a device.