Patent ID: 10267726

Abstract:
In accordance with embodiments herein, microfluidics systems and methods are described for identifying and/or tracking particles in a droplet. For example, the particle may be a bead, a cell, or any other type of particle. For example, embodiments herein are useful in distinguishing cells from other particles. The microfluidics systems and methods provide the capability to image a large area (e.g., a few square millimeters) within a digital fluidics chamber using interference microscopy, wherein the image of the interference pattern is acquired, instead of an image of the micrometric object itself. The interference pattern results from the incoming light that interferes with the light scattered by the object. In the case of micrometric objects (e.g., cells, bacteria, etc.), the acquired interference pattern may typically be about 100 jum in diameter so that the area can be imaged using a lens-free imaging configuration or using a low magnification lens.