Patent ID: 8158927
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A61L,B01D,B01L,B03C,B04B,G01N,G02B,G03H,G21K,H05H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating sperm cells containing X and Y chromosomes, comprising: a flow cell having a fluid input channel for introducing a sample of sperm cells having X and Y chromosomes employing a dye which binds to DNA, said sperm cells being in a laminar flow in said fluid input channel, said sperm cells being disposed in a plurality of input lines having a predetermined separation distance therebetween to determine a width of said fluid input channel; two output channels having a same width as said fluid input channel, said two output channels being disposed on either side of said fluid input channel, each having a buffer solution in a laminar flow flowing therethrough; a sorting region having no mechanical separation between said fluid input channel and said two output channels and said laminar flows therein; an optical trapping system which produces an array of a plurality of funneling optical traps in said fluid input channel proximate to said sorting region, said optical traps which separate said sperm cells in said fluid input channel by a minimum predetermined separation distance; wherein said optical trapping system includes a relatively high-numerical-aperture objective lens used to implement said array of optical traps driving separation of said sperm cells; and a fluorescence detection system, which detects fluorescence of said sperm cells, to determine a nature of an underlying chromosome load, to identify X from Y chromosomes of said sperm cells; wherein said X and Y chromosome bearing sperm cells are sorted in said sorting region.