Patent ID: 8590710

Claim:
A device for separating target particles in a fluid sample, the device comprising: a first, second and third multi-orifice flow fractionation channel, each including: a multi-orifice segment with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends, the multi-orifice segment including an alternating series of contraction channels and expansion chambers interconnected in a lengthwise direction, wherein dimensions of the contraction channels and expansion chambers are defined based on a size of the target particles; a first separation unit including: a first separation channel which is interconnected in fluid communication with a center region of the outlet of the first multi-orifice flow fractionation channel, and first branch channels which are interconnected in fluid communication with sidewall regions of the outlet of the first multi-orifice flow fractionation channel, and respectively with the inlets of the second and third multi-orifice flow fractionation channels; and buffer inlets which are connected to the inlets of the second and third multi-orifice flow fractionation channels and through which a buffer flows into the second and third multi-orifice flow fractionation channels.