DE102022101700A1 - Device for the sequential positioning of particles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which is preferably microfabricated, having a positioning device for the sequential positioning of particles, the positioning device having a preferably rigid delimitation structure, the delimitation structure having a first receptacle (3) for positioning a particle and a second receptacle (4) for positioning of a particle, the first receptacle (3) and the second receptacle (4) being arranged in series, the positioning device having a device opening (5) through which fluid can flow into the positioning device, the positioning device having a device channel, which extends from the device opening (5) into the positioning device, the device channel comprising the first receptacle (5) and the second receptacle (5), the device (1) having at least one bypass channel (6, 7), the The device (1) has a branching point (8), the device channel and the bypass channel (6, 7) being branched via the branching point (8) in such a way that a flow particle which is in the branching point (8) can enter the bypass channel ( 6, 7) or via the device opening (5) into the device channel. The device channel has a greater hydrodynamic resistance than the bypass channel (6, 7). Alternatively, the device channel has the same hydrodynamic resistance as the bypass channel (6, 7).

Description

The invention relates to a microfabricated device with a positioning device for the sequential positioning of particles. The positioning device has a preferably rigid delimitation structure, the delimitation structure forming a first receptacle for positioning a particle and a second receptacle for positioning a particle. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are arranged in series, with the positioning device having a device opening through which fluid can flow into the positioning device. The positioning device has a device channel extending from the device opening into the positioning device, the device channel comprising the first socket and the second socket. The device has at least one bypass channel. The device has a branching point, the device channel and the bypass channel being branched via the branching point in such a way that a flow particle located in the branching point can flow into the bypass channel or via the device opening into the device channel.

Such a device is from the international application WO 2019 048 713 A1 known. Like in the 27 .2 D of the international application, the device contains a device channel comprising three receptacles for sequential positioning of particles, and two bypass channels. As can be seen on pages 29 and 30 of the description, each of the three receptacles is first occupied by a particle before a fourth can flow into the bypass channel to the next device. This is because the channels have a higher hydrodynamic resistance than the device channel. This is also the case when even two of the three receptacles of the device channel are each occupied by a particle. The higher hydrodynamic resistance of the bypass channels is due to their much greater length compared to the device channel.

A disadvantage of the known device is that a particle flowing into the device inevitably flows into the device channel and that a particle only flows into the bypass channel when all receptacles are already occupied by particles. However, this is not desirable for every application.

The object of the invention is therefore to further develop the known device in such a way that it can be selected whether a particle flows into the device channel or into the bypass channel.

The object is solved by the device according to claim 1. The object is also achieved by the system and the method according to the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims, as well as in the description and the figures.

The object is achieved in that the device channel has a greater hydrodynamic resistance than the bypass channel. Since particles in a flow follow the path of least resistance, the particles flow into the bypass channel unless the system is tampered with. An intervention can be made by giving the particle in the flow a certain momentum that it needs to flow into the device channel instead of into the bypass channel. A higher impulse can be given to the particle by increasing the flow speed in a targeted manner. For example, the flow rate can be increased when the particle is in the branching point of the channels.

In an alternative embodiment, the device channel has the same hydrodynamic resistance as the bypass channel.

The device channel is preferably designed in such a way that fluid that flows in through the device opening can flow out of the device channel at the end of the device channel (channel end) opposite the device opening. For this purpose, the device channel has at least one opening at the end of the channel. A sufficiently large particle can be held in the second receptacle, while at the same time the fluid can flow out through the opening at the end of the channel. The opening at the end of the channel also has the advantage that when the flow reverses, a particle that is in the second receptacle can be conveyed from the second receptacle to the first receptacle, or a particle that is in the first receptacle can be conveyed from the first receptacle through the device opening.

Preferably, the first (second) receptacle is wider than the first opening and than the second opening. Thus, an elastic particle that is larger than the first and second openings can be compressed while passing through the first opening and expand after passing through the first opening. As a result, the particle can be positioned in the first recording without loss. The same applies to passing through the second opening and positioning in the second receptacle.

The device preferably has a second bypass channel, wherein the device channel, the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel are branched via the branching point in such a way that a flow particle that is in the branching point can flow into the first bypass channel, into the second bypass channel or via the device opening into the device channel. The device channel has a greater hydrodynamic resistance than the first bypass channel and than the second bypass channel. Alternatively, the device channel, the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel have the same hydrodynamic resistance.

The term "device channel" is synonymous with "positioning device channel". The term "device port" is synonymous with "positioning device port". These terms are preferred due to their shorter spelling and the associated improvement in readability.

In a preferred embodiment, the device channel also has a greater hydrodynamic resistance than the bypass channel when the first receptacle or the second receptacle is occupied. This also applies when one of the two receptacles is completely occupied, ie the receptacle space is completely filled, in particular with a particle.

In a preferred embodiment, the confinement structure further defines a third well for positioning a particle, the first well, the second well and the third well being arranged in series, the device channel comprising the first well, the second well and the third well. This makes it possible to position three particles in each receptacle of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the bypass channel is shorter, equal in length or at most twice as long as the device channel. An advantage of the invention is that the bypass channel is significantly smaller than the bypass channel of the known device. The length of the channels is the main factor in adjusting the hydrodynamic drag. The channel cross-section is only suitable for this purpose to a limited extent, since it must meet the requirement of allowing a particle with a specific diameter to pass through. In contrast to the known device, which relies on a long bypass channel in order to set the required hydrodynamic resistance, the bypass channel according to the invention can even be smaller than the device channel. A look into the 27 .2D the WO 2019 048 713 A1 already makes it clear that the device according to the invention, in contrast, results in enormous space savings.

In a preferred embodiment, the delimiting structure has a first delimiting section, the first delimiting section forming a first opening, so that a particle can enter the first receptacle through the first opening. Additionally or alternatively, the delimiting structure has a second delimiting section, wherein the second delimiting section forms a second opening, so that a particle can enter the second receptacle through the second opening. The first opening is preferably the device opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the first delimiting section and the second delimiting section form the first receptacle, with the positioning device having a third delimiting section. The second delimiting section and the third delimiting section form the second receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the positioning device has a fourth delimitation section, the third delimitation section and the fourth delimitation section forming the third receptacle, the third delimitation section forming a third opening, so that a particle can enter the third receptacle through the third opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the first restriction portion comprises two separate portion parts, the portion parts defining the first opening. Additionally or alternatively, the second delimiting section has two separate section parts, the section parts defining the second opening. The third delimiting section is preferably in one piece. Preferably, the third section lies on the longitudinal axis of the device channel and does not extend over the entire cross-section of the device channel. This allows fluid flowing into the device channel via the device opening to exit the device channel on the opposite side of the device channel from the device opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the first restriction portion comprises two separate portion parts, the portion parts defining the first opening. Additionally or alternatively, the second delimiting section has two separate section parts, the section parts defining the second opening. Additionally or alternatively, the third boundary section has two separate section parts, the section parts defining the third opening. Before the fourth delimiting section is preferably in one piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the delimiting sections are spaced apart from one another along an axis, with the second delimiting section being arranged between the first delimiting section and the third delimiting section.

In particular, the third delimiting section is arranged between the second delimiting section and the fourth delimiting section when a fourth delimiting section is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the positioning device is mirror-symmetrical to a plane, the plane passing through the first opening and the second opening and preferably not intersecting the section parts of the first delimiting structure and the section parts of the second delimiting structure, the plane preferably intersecting the third delimiting structure.

Alternatively, the positioning device is mirror-symmetrical to a plane, wherein the plane runs through the first opening, the second opening and the third opening and preferably does not intersect the section parts of the first delimitation section, the section parts of the second delimitation section and the section parts of the third delimitation section, the plane preferably intersecting the fourth delimitation section.

In a preferred embodiment, the delimiting structure is designed in such a way that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably located entirely in the first receptacle, is prevented from moving towards the first opening and from moving towards the second opening when the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through either the first opening or the second opening and contacts the first delimiting section and the second delimiting section, and/or wherein the delimiting structure is designed such that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably completely located in the second receptacle is prevented from moving toward the second opening and from moving in the opposite direction when the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through either the first opening or the second opening and contacts the second restriction portion and the third restriction portion. This embodiment has the advantage that, in particular, spherical particles can be securely positioned in the first and second receptacle.

Additionally or alternatively, the delimiting structure is configured such that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably located entirely within the third receptacle, is prevented from moving towards the third opening and from moving in the opposite direction when the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through the third opening and contacts the third delimiting section and the fourth delimiting section.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a first particle and a second particle. The first particle is positioned in the first receptacle and the second particle is positioned in the second receptacle, with the particles preferably touching, with the first and second particles preferably comprising a hydrogel, with the first particle preferably containing one or more types of binding molecules, such as antibodies or aptamers, and the second particle containing one or more biological cells, viruses or cellular components.

In a preferred embodiment, the first receptacle is larger than the second receptacle. This allows a larger particle to be positioned in the first receptacle and a smaller particle to be positioned in the second receptacle. The first receptacle is preferably also larger than the third receptacle. The second receptacle and the third receptacle are particularly preferably of the same size. In a preferred embodiment, the first socket is larger than the second socket and the second socket is larger than the third socket. As a result, for example, a particle of a first type can be positioned in the first receptacle, a particle of a second type can be positioned in the second receptacle and a particle of a third type can be positioned in the third receptacle. The particle of the first type is then preferably larger than the particle of the second type, which in turn is larger than the particle of the third type. This allows particles of different types to be paired with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the first opening is larger than the second opening. This has the advantage that a particle that is larger than the second opening but smaller than the first opening can be retained in the first receptacle when a fluid flows through the first opening into the device channel. If the flow direction is reversed, the particle can leave the device channel through the first opening without having to be deformed. The particle can with it leave the device channel with the flow in a simple manner and without additional force.

This advantage also has an effect in an expanded embodiment in which the first opening is larger than the third opening and in particular the second and third openings are of the same size; the particle in the first well can easily be conveyed out of the first well by mere flow reversal, while the second particle is held in the second well and the third particle is held in the third well.

In a preferred embodiment, the first opening is larger than the second opening and the second opening is larger than the third opening.

The invention also relates to a system having a first device according to the invention and at least one second device according to the invention, the first device and the second device being connected via a connecting channel in such a way that a particle which flows into the bypass channel at the branching point of the first device can reach the branching point of the second device via the connecting channel. The system preferably comprises a large number of devices according to the invention. Since the device according to the invention already ensures enormous space savings compared to the prior art, this applies in particular to the system. The system according to the invention makes it possible to treat and analyze a significantly higher number of particles. This can significantly increase the productivity of biotechnological processes.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting channel has an inlet section, the inlet section being connected to the branch point of the second device. Preferably, the inlet section and the device channel of the second device are coaxial or the axis of the inlet section and the axis of the device channel form an angle of -45° to 45°. Because of this arrangement, less momentum is required to move a particle into the device channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting channel has an extension section. The extension section is preferably serpentine. Preferably, the extension portion extends transversely or obliquely to the axis of the device channel of the first device and the device channel of the second axis, which are particularly preferably coaxial. This maintains a dense array of devices while lengthening the flow path of particles from one device to another. A longer flow path and a longer flow duration of particles is necessary or advantageous for certain applications.

The invention further relates to a method for the sequential positioning of particles in a device according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps: moving a first particle into the first receptacle such that the first particle is positioned in the first receptacle, the first particle passing through the first opening; moving the first particle into the second well such that the first particle is positioned in the second well with the first particle passing through the second opening; moving a second particle into the first well such that the second particle is positioned in the first well, the second particle passing through the first opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following step: moving the second particle through the first opening so that the second particle exits the first receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: moving the first particle into the first well such that the first particle is positioned in the first well, the first particle passing through the second opening; moving the first particle through the first opening such that the first particle exits the first receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, moving the first or second particle into the first receptacle (wherein the first or second particle passes through the first orifice) is accomplished by increasing the momentum of the particle when the particle is at the bifurcation point, wherein the momentum is increased such that the momentum reaches a threshold, wherein if the threshold is not reached, the particle flows into the bypass channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the first particle is resilient and larger than the first opening and than the second opening. Additionally or alternatively, the second particle is elastic and larger than the first opening and than the second opening. The elasticity means that the respective particle can be squeezed through the respective opening, whereas a corresponding rigid particle could not pass through the opening. Preferably, the particle is again in a non-deformed state after passing through the opening. The particles preferably have the same elasticity and/or the same mass and/or the same size. Alternatively, the particles have different elasticities and/or different masses and/or different sizes.

In a preferred embodiment, the movement of a particle is effected by the flow of a fluid in which the particle is located, with the particle speed being adjusted by adjusting the flow speed, so that the particle is given an impulse to pass the opening in question, with the flow speed preferably being the only manipulated variable.

The invention also relates to a method for the sequential positioning of particles in a system according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps: moving a first particle into the first receptacle of the first device so that the first particle is positioned in the first receptacle, the first particle passing through the first opening of the first device; Moving a second particle into the first well of the second device such that the second particle is positioned in the first well, the second particle passing through the first opening of the second device.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: moving the first particle into the second well of the first device such that the first particle is positioned in the second well, the first particle passing through the second opening; moving the second particle into the second well of the second device such that the second particle is positioned in the second well with the second particle passing through the second opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following step: flushing the positioning device of the first device and the positioning device of the second device with a fluid containing a bead population of a first type.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: moving a third particle into the first well of the first device such that the third particle is positioned in the first well, the third particle passing through the first opening of the first device; moving a fourth particle into the first well of the second device such that the fourth particle is positioned in the first well, the fourth particle passing through the first opening of the second device; flushing the positioning device of the first device and the positioning device of the second device with a fluid containing a bead population of a second type.

The invention also relates to a use of the device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention for the sequential positioning of particles in a device according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the system according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention for the sequential positioning of particles in a system according to the invention.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 2 eine Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems,
• 3 eine mögliche Reihenfolge bei der Positionierung von Partikeln,
• 4 eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 5 Verfahren zum Positionieren von Partikeln unterschiedlicher Größe,
• 6 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 7 eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the figures below. Show in it:

• 1 an embodiment of a device according to the invention,
• 2 an embodiment of a system according to the invention,
• 3 a possible order in the positioning of particles,
• 4 a further embodiment of the device according to the invention,
• 5 method of positioning particles of different sizes,
• 6 a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,
• 7 another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention with a positioning device 2 for the sequential positioning of particles. The positioning device 2 has a rigid limiting structure. The delimiting structure forms a first receptacle 3 for positioning a particle and a second receptacle 4 for positioning a particle. The first receptacle 3 and the second receptacle 4 are arranged in series. The positioning device has a device opening 5 through which fluid can flow into the positioning device 2 . The positioning device 2 has a device channel extending from the device opening 5 into the positioning device 2 , the device channel comprising the first socket 3 and the second socket 4 . The device 1 has a first bypass channel 6 and a second bypass channel 7 . The device has a branching point 8, with the device channel, the first bypass channel 6 and the second bypass channel 7 being branched via the branching point 8 in such a way that a flow particle located in the branching point 8 can flow into the first bypass channel 6, into the second bypass channel 7 or via the device opening 5 in the device channel can flow. The device channel has a larger hydrodynamic resistance than the first bypass channel 6 and than the second bypass channel 7 .

The delimiting structure has a first delimiting section 9, the first delimiting section forming a first opening 5, so that a particle can pass through the first opening 5 into the first receptacle 3. In addition, the delimiting structure has a second delimiting section 10, the second delimiting section 10 forming a second opening 11, so that a particle can pass through the second opening 11 into the second receptacle 4. In the present case, the first opening 5 is identical to the device opening 5.

The first delimiting section 9 and the second delimiting section 10 form the first receptacle 3 , with the positioning device having a third delimiting section 12 . The second delimiting section 10 and the third delimiting section 12 form the second receptacle 4.

The first delimiting section 9 has two separate section parts, which section parts define the first opening 5 . In addition, the second boundary portion 10 has two separate sectional parts, which sectional parts define the second opening 11 . The third delimiting section 12 is in one piece.

2 shows an embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention having a first device 1 according to the invention and a second device 1 according to the invention. The first device 1 and the second device 1 are connected via a connecting channel 101 in such a way that a particle that flows into one of the two bypass channels 6 or 7 at the branching point 8 of the first device can reach the branching point 8 of the second device 1 via the connecting channel.

The connecting channel 101 has an inlet section 102 , the inlet section 102 being connected to the branch point 8 of the second device 1 . The inlet straight section 102 and the device channel of the second device are coaxial. The connecting channel 101 has a serpentine extension section.

3 shows a possible order in the positioning of particles in a device according to the invention. The left partial figure shows the device with a first particle 200 that was positioned in the first receptacle 3 . The particle 200 is elastic and spherical in the undeformed state. It is larger than the first opening 5. The particle 200 was given a sufficiently large momentum by means of the flow, so that it could pass through the first opening 5. The middle partial figure shows the first particle 200 in the second recording 4. The momentum of the particle 200 was increased by means of the flow, so that it could pass through the second opening 11. The right partial figure shows a second particle 201 that is positioned in the first receptacle 3 . The second particle 201 is elastic and spherical in the non-deformed state. It is larger than the first opening 5. The momentum of the second particle 201 was increased by means of the flow, so that it could pass through the first opening 5.

4 shows a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. This is identical to the embodiment according to FIG 1 . The first difference is that the first image 3 is larger than the second image 4. This is illustrated using the dashed circles, which indicate the presence of different sized particles in the images.

5 shows a method for positioning particles of different sizes. The show 5a until 5d successive steps to achieve this result, it being desired in the present example for procedural reasons to position two particles of the same size sequentially as a preliminary stage. 5a first shows a device according to the invention according to FIG 4 . As arrows indicate, fluid flows from left to right. The fluid is a suspension.

5b shows the state in which a first particle is in the first receptacle 3 and a second particle is in the second receptacle 4. The particles are the same size and of the same type. They were positioned sequentially in the manner described above. The suspension continues to flow from left to right.

According to 5c the flow direction is now reversed. The effect of this is that the particle located in the first receptacle 3 can easily leave the second receptacle 4 through the first opening 5 . This is because the particle is smaller than the first opening 5. However, the flow reversal does not cause the second particle to move out of the second receptacle 4, because it is larger than the second opening 11. To do this, the flow speed would have to be increased in order to squeeze it through the second opening 11. The same flow speed is therefore sufficient to convey the first particle out of the first receptacle 3 Others, but not enough to push the second particle out of the second opening 11.

According to 5d the flow direction is reversed again so that the suspension flows from left to right again. A particle of a second type is then transported in the suspension until it reaches the first receptacle 3 in the manner described above. This particle is larger than the particle in the second shot 4.

6 shows a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the device according to FIG 4 a third receptacle 13 for positioning another particle. The third delimiting section 12 and the fourth delimiting section 14 form the third receptacle. In the present case, the first receptacle 3 is larger than the second receptacle 4 and the third receptacle 13.

7 shows a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG 6 the first receptacle 3 is larger than the second receptacle 4, which in turn is larger than the third receptacle 13. In the first receptacle 3 there is a particle of a first type. A particle of a second type is located in the second receptacle 4 and a particle of a third type is located in the third receptacle 13 . The first type particle is larger than the second type particle, which in turn is larger than the third type particle.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2019048713 A1 [0002, 0014]

Claims (27)

Device (1), which is preferably microfabricated, comprising a positioning device for the sequential positioning of particles, the positioning device having a preferably rigid confining structure, the confining structure forming a first receptacle (3) for positioning a particle and a second receptacle (4) for positioning a particle, the first receptacle (3) and the second receptacle (4) being arranged in series, the positioning device having a device opening (5) through which fluid can flow into the positioning device, the positioning device having a device channel which extends from the device opening (5) into the positioning device, the device channel comprising the first receptacle (5) and the second receptacle (5), the device (1) having at least one bypass channel (6, 7), the device (1) having a branching point (8), the device channel and the bypass channel (6, 7) being branched via the branching point (8) in such a way that a flow particle located in the branching point (8) enters the bypass channel (6, 7) or can flow into the device channel via the device opening (5),characterizedthat the device channel has a greater hydrodynamic resistance than the bypass channel (6, 7) or that the device channel has the same hydrodynamic resistance as the bypass channel (6, 7). Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the limiting structure further forms a third seat (13) for positioning a particle, wherein the first seat (3), the second seat (4) and the third seat (13) are arranged in series, wherein the device channel comprises the first seat (3), the second seat (4) and the third seat (13). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass channel (6, 7) is shorter, the same length or at most twice as long as the device channel. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the delimiting structure has a first delimiting section (9), the first delimiting section (9) forming a first opening (5) so that a particle can get through the first opening (5) into the first receptacle (3) and/or the delimiting structure has a second delimiting section (10), the second delimiting section (10) forming a second opening (11) so that a particle can get through the second opening (11) into the second receptacle (3). the first opening (5) is preferably the device opening (5). Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the first delimiting section (9) and the second delimiting section (10) form the first receptacle (3), the positioning device having a third delimiting section (12), the second delimiting section (10) and the third delimiting section (12) forming the second receptacle (4). Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the positioning device has a fourth delimitation section (14), the third delimitation section (12) and the fourth delimitation section (14) forming the third receptacle (13), the third delimitation section (12) forming a third opening (15), so that a particle can enter the third receptacle (13) through the third opening (15). Device (1) according to one of Claims 4 , 5 or 6 , wherein the first delimiting section (9) has two separate section parts, the section parts defining the first opening (5) and/or the second delimiting section (10) having two separate section parts, the section parts defining the second opening (11), wherein preferably the third delimiting section (12) has two separate section parts, the section parts defining the third opening (15). Device (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 7 wherein the delimiting sections are spaced apart from one another along an axis, the second delimiting section (10) being arranged between the first delimiting section (9) and the third delimiting section (12), the third delimiting section (12) being arranged between the second delimiting section (10) and the fourth delimiting section (14) when a fourth delimiting section (14) is provided. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning device is mirror-symmetrical to a plane, the plane running through the first opening (5) and the second opening (11) and preferably not intersecting the section parts of the first delimiting section (9) and the section parts of the second delimiting section (10), the plane preferably intersecting the third delimiting section (12), or the positioning device being mirror-symmetrical to a plane, the plane passing through the first opening (5), the second opening (11) and the third opening (15) runs and preferably not the section parts of the first delimitation section (9) intersecting the section parts of the second delimitation section (10) and the section parts of the third delimitation section (12), the plane preferably intersecting the fourth delimitation section (14). Device (1) according to one of Claims 5 until 9 , wherein the delimiting structure is designed in such a way that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably located completely in the first receptacle (3), is prevented from moving in the direction of the first opening (5) and from moving in the direction of the second opening (11) when the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through either the first opening (5) or the second opening (11), and contacts the first delimiting section and the second delimiting section, and/or the delimiting structure is designed in such a way that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably completely located in the second receptacle (4), is prevented from moving towards the second opening (11) and from moving in the opposite direction if the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through either the first opening (3) or the second opening (11) and contacts the second delimiting section and the third delimiting section and/or wherein the delimiting structure is formed in such a way that a rigid spherical object, which is preferably completely located in the third receptacle ( 13) is prevented from moving in the direction of the third opening (15) and from moving in the opposite direction when the object has such a large diameter that it cannot pass through the third opening (15) and contacts the third restriction portion (12) and the fourth restriction portion (14). Device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the device (1) has a first particle (200) and a second particle (201), the first particle (200) being positioned in the first receptacle (3), the second particle (201) being positioned in the second receptacle (4), the particles preferably touching each other, the first and second particles preferably comprising a hydrogel, the first particle preferably containing one or more types of binding molecules, such as antibodies or aptamers, and the second particle containing one or more biological cells, viruses or includes cellular components. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first receptacle (3) is larger than the second receptacle (4), the first receptacle (3) preferably being larger than the third receptacle (13), the first receptacle (3) being particularly preferably larger than the second receptacle (4) and the second receptacle (4) being larger than the third receptacle (13). Device (1) after claim 4 or one on claim 4 dependent claim, wherein the first opening (5) is larger than the second opening (11), wherein preferably the first opening (5) is larger than the third opening (15), wherein particularly preferably the first opening (5) is larger than the second opening (11) and the second opening (11) is larger than the third opening (15). System (100), having a first device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a second device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device (1) and the second device (1) are connected via a connecting channel in such a way that a particle which flows into the bypass channel (6, 7) at the branching point (8) of the first device can reach the branching point (8) of the second device (1) via the connecting channel (101). System (100) according to the previous claim, wherein the connection channel (101) has an inlet section (102), the inlet section (102) being connected to the branch point (8) of the second device (1). System (100) according to one of the preceding system claims, wherein the connecting channel (101) has a preferably serpentine extension section. Method for the sequential positioning of particles in a device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 12 , the method comprising the steps of: moving a first particle into the first receptacle (3) so that the first particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the first particle passing through the first opening (5); moving the first particle into the second well (10) so that the first particle is positioned in the second well (4), the first particle passing through the second opening (11); Moving a second particle into the first receptacle (3) so that the second particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the second particle passing through the first opening (5). Method according to the previous claim, the method further comprising the following step: moving the second particle through the first opening (5) so that the second particle leaves the first receptacle (3). Method according to the preceding claim, the method further comprising the following steps comprises: moving the first particle into the first receptacle (3) so that the first particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the first particle passing through the second opening (11); Moving the first particle through the first opening (5) so that the first particle leaves the first receptacle (3). Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the moving of the first or second particle into the first receptacle (3), with the first or second particle passing through the first opening (5), takes place by increasing the momentum of the particle when the particle is at the branching point (8), the momentum being increased in such a way that the momentum reaches a threshold value, with the particle flowing into the bypass channel (6, 7) if the threshold value is not reached. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the first particle is elastic and larger than the first opening (5) and than the second opening (11) and/or the second particle is elastic and larger than the first opening and than the second opening. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the movement of a particle is effected by the flow of a fluid in which the particle is located, the particle speed being adjusted by adjusting the flow speed, so that the particle is given an impulse to pass the opening in question, the flow speed preferably being the only manipulated variable. Method for the sequential positioning of particles in a system (100) according to any one of the preceding system claims, the method comprising the following steps: moving a first particle into the first receptacle (3) of the first device, so that the first particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the first particle passing through the first opening (5) of the first device; moving a second particle into the first receptacle (3) of the second device so that the second particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the second particle passing through the first opening (5) of the second device. Method according to the previous claim, the method further comprising the steps of: moving the first particle into the second receptacle (4) of the first device so that the first particle is positioned in the second receptacle (4), the first particle passing through the second opening (11); Moving the second particle into the second seat (4) of the second device so that the second particle is positioned in the second seat (4), the second particle passing through the second opening (11). Method according to either of the two preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises the following step: flushing the positioning device of the first device and the positioning device of the second device with a fluid containing a bead population of a first type. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: moving a third particle into the first receptacle (3) of the first device, so that the third particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the third particle passing through the first opening (5) of the first device; moving a fourth particle into the first receptacle (3) of the second device so that the fourth particle is positioned in the first receptacle (3), the fourth particle passing through the first opening (5) of the second device; flushing the positioning device of the first device and the positioning device of the second device with a fluid containing a bead population of a second type. Use of the device according to any of the foregoing Claims 1 until 13 for carrying out the method according to one of claims 17 until 22 or Use of the system according to one of the system claims for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 23 until 26 .

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