Patent ID: 9470679
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: B01L,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A cell measurement apparatus for focusing cells to be measured, the apparatus comprising: a substrate; a straight channel in the substrate, the channel having a single inlet, an outlet, and an optical measurement region between the single inlet and the outlet; wherein the channel has at least one cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns; and at least one reservoir pre-loaded with at least one fluid including a suspending medium containing a high molecular weight polymer, wherein the at least one reservoir includes a sample inlet configured to receive the cells to be measured, and wherein the at least one reservoir is flow connected to the inlet of the channel in a manner permitting a sample fluid, including the suspending medium mixed with the cells received via the sample inlet, to flow through the channel to the optical measurement region; wherein the suspending medium containing the high molecular weight polymer has viscoelastic properties, and the viscoelastic properties of the suspending medium together with the cross-sectional dimension of the channel smaller than 100 microns cause the cells in the sample fluid to migrate away from walls of the channel and concentrate at a center of the channel upon flowing the sample fluid through the channel.