Patent ID: 7312085
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a particle comprising the steps of: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising: an input mechanism for introducing a fluid sample containing a particle; a microfluidic passage in fluid communication with said input mechanism; a positioning mechanism using a reduced-velocity flow stream in fluid communication with said microfluidic passage, said positioning mechanism for positioning said particle in said microfluidic passage while contained in said fluid sample; a flow-assisted retention mechanism for retaining said particle upon being positioned by said positioning means; a treatment mechanism in communication with said retention mechanism for selectively treating said particle to produce a treatment response while being retained within said retention mechanism; and, a measurement mechanism for measuring said treatment response, if any, of said particle, (ii) introducing said sample fluid containing said particle into said input mechanism; (iii) positioning said particle with said positioning mechanism using a reduced-velocity flow stream so that said particle is retainable by said flow-assisted etention mechanism; (iv) retaining said particle with said flow-assisted retention mechanism; (v) exposing said particle to said treatment by said treatment mechanism; (vi) measuring said treatment response caused directly or indirectly by said particle upon exposure to said treatment.