Patent ID: 6159739
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A sheath flow module, comprising:a plate having formed therein:a laminar flow channel formed in a first surface of said plate, said flow channel comprising an upstream end and a downstream end;a first inlet passing through said plate and forming a first inlet junction with said upstream end of said channel;an outlet passing through said plate and forming an outlet junction with said downstream end of said channel;a second inlet passing through said plate and forming a second inlet junction with said channel, narrower than said first inlet junction, between said first inlet junction and said outlet junction;wherein said laminar flow channel does not decrease in depth downstream from said second inlet junction; anda first fluid and a second fluid flowing in laminar flow within said laminar flow channel such that said first fluid is in laminar flow with said second fluid, said sheath flow module being constructed and arranged such that said second fluid is surrounded on at least two sides by said first fluid.