JP2007175684A - Flow passage structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fine particle concentrating and classifying mechanism and its apparatus recovering large particles without containing small particles. <P>SOLUTION: Flow passage structure is used having at least one branch point 17 on the side face of the flow passage 11, and at least one branch passage 12 connected to the flow passage at the branch point and having at least one of scales such as length, width, depth or diameter properly adjusted. Fluid is introduced to the flow passage to be separated into fluid containing particles and fluid containing no particles, and at the branch point, particles of a certain size or larger are made not to enter the branch passage, and particles of a certain size or smaller are made not to enter the downstream side of the branch passage. Thus, the fluid containing all of the introduced particles of a certain size or smaller, or the fluid containing no particles of a certain size or larger, is recovered from the branch passage, to recover the fluid with increased concentration of particles of a certain size or larger from the downstream side of the passage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

  The present invention relates to a method for concentrating and classifying fine particles, and more specifically, when concentrating and classifying particles such as animal and plant cells, organelles, microorganisms, aerosols, ceramic particles, polymer particles, emulsions, inorganic particles, and metal nanoparticles. The present invention relates to a method for concentrating and classifying fine particles suitable for use in the above.

  In general, methods for concentrating and classifying particles such as animal and plant cells, organelles, and microorganisms are not only used for basic research, but also for medical fields such as the separation and concentration of hematopoietic stem cells from blood, and for the isolation of bacteria present in the environment. Is important.

  In addition, methods for concentrating and classifying particles such as aerosols, ceramic particles, polymer particles, emulsions, inorganic particles, and metal nanoparticles are important in fields such as chemical engineering, powder industry, electronics industry, and precision machinery industry.

  As a conventional technology for classifying fine particles, for example, there is a separation method using flow cytometry. In addition, generally, a centrifugal separation method, a sedimentation separation method, a separation method using static electricity, filtration, field flow, and the like. Fractionation is known.

  However, in flow cytometry, it is necessary to label the target particles with fluorescence, and it is difficult to perform a large amount of processing, which requires a complicated apparatus.

  In addition, the centrifugal separation method, the sedimentation separation method, and the separation method using static electricity can process a large amount of particles at one time, but on the other hand, it is difficult to separate those with low classification accuracy and extremely small particle size. There was a problem such as.

  In addition, filtration and field flow fractionation have high classification accuracy, but it takes a lot of time to separate, and there are problems such as being unable to process a large amount at a time and continuous operation. .

In recent years, a method for classifying and concentrating fine particles in a micro-channel device with a channel structure fabricated using microfabrication technology has been proposed. In this method, external force such as gravity, centrifugal force, electric field, and magnetic field is proposed. It is possible to separate particles according to size by simply introducing a fluid containing particles into a specific flow channel structure without using a force of.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-232590

  However, in these methods, only the fluid containing particles is introduced, so that all the introduced particles cannot be recovered, and only small particles can be recovered, but large particles are recovered. When doing so, there is a problem that small particles are included.

Problems to be solved by the invention

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is animal and plant cells, organelles, microorganisms, aerosols, ceramic particles, polymer particles, emulsions, and inorganic particles. When separating metal nanoparticles, etc., it can be separated quickly and in large quantities without recognizing the particles, all the introduced particles can be collected, and even when collecting large particles, there are small particles It is an object of the present invention to provide a fine particle concentration / classification mechanism and apparatus that can be recovered without being contained.

Means for solving the problem

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a downstream or branched flow of a channel when a fluid containing particles and a fluid not containing particles are continuously introduced into a channel having at least one branch channel on the way. The flow rate introduced downstream of the channel is determined by the width, length, depth, diameter, etc. of each channel, and the particle behavior is governed by the channel size and fluid distribution ratio. It was made paying attention to.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is connected to the flow path A, the flow path A extending in a predetermined direction, one or more branch points on the side surface of the flow path A, and the branch points. Using a flow channel structure having one or more branch flow channels in which any one or more of scales such as length, width, depth, and diameter are appropriately adjusted, fluid is supplied from one end of the flow channel A. When the particles are continuously introduced, by introducing the fluid so as to be divided into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles, particles having a certain size or more at the branch point may be separated at the branch point. It is possible to prevent the particles having a certain size or less from being introduced into the flow path, and it is possible to prevent the particles having a certain size or less from being introduced downstream of the flow path A. Fluid containing particles or a certain size The fluid containing no particles at all can be collected from the branch flow channel, and the fluid having a high concentration of particles of a certain size or more can be collected from the downstream of the flow channel A. is there.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the concentration of particles having a certain size or more can be increased by continuously introducing a fluid containing particles and a fluid not containing particles into the flow channel structure. Thus, it becomes possible to separately collect a fluid that has become higher than the particle concentration in the fluid before introduction, and a fluid that does not contain particles of a certain size or more.

  Furthermore, by appropriately setting the scale and number of branch flow paths, it is possible to separate and collect all the particles contained in the fluid containing the introduced particles.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is connected to the flow path A at the flow path A extending in a predetermined direction, a plurality of branch points on the side surface of the flow path A, and the plurality of branch points, respectively. A flow path structure having one or more branch flow paths in which at least one of the scales of which length, width, depth, and diameter are appropriately adjusted, from one end of the flow path A to the fluid Is introduced so as to be divided into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles, so that at least one of the plurality of branch points has a certain size. More than a certain particle can be prevented from being introduced into the branch flow path at the branch point, and a particle having a certain size or less can be prevented from being introduced downstream of the flow path A. Less than the plurality of branch points In one branch point, particles having a certain size or larger can be introduced into the branch flow path at the branch point, so that all the particles having a certain size or larger are introduced. The particles concentrated in the vicinity of the wall side of the channel A and further concentrated from some of the plurality of branch channels can be recovered.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention, particles smaller than a certain size are introduced into the branch channel, while particles larger than a certain size are not introduced into the branch channel. In addition, it is possible to collect the fluid in which particles of a certain size or more are concentrated in the downstream branch flow path, and before the introduction, it can be concentrated in the vicinity of the wall surface of the flow path A. It is also possible to collect or remove all particles contained in the.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is the flow channel structure and method for concentration and classification of microparticles according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow channel A The branch channel existing in the middle of the channel exists only in one side cross section of the channel A.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3 of the present invention, by providing a branch point only on one side surface of the flow path A, the introduction time point of the fluid containing the introduced particles and the fluid not containing the particles is introduced. Thus, it is possible to efficiently remove the portion of the fluid containing the particles, the efficiency of collecting the particles can be easily increased, and the operation is facilitated.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is the flow channel structure for concentration / classification of fine particles according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3 and the method thereof. When the fluid is continuously introduced into the flow path A, as a method of introducing the fluid so as to be divided into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles, a plurality of inlets are provided, and at least one inlet is provided. The fluid containing particles is introduced from at least one inlet.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4 of the present invention, by preparing a plurality of inlets of the flow path A and introducing a fluid containing particles or a fluid containing no particles from each appropriate inlet, It is possible to introduce the fluid into the flow path A by dividing it into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is the flow channel structure and method for fine particle concentration and classification according to claim 3, wherein the fluid is continuously introduced into the flow channel A. As a method of introducing the fluid into a fluid part containing particles and a fluid part not containing particles, the flow path A is once branched from the flow path A between the inlet and the branch flow path, In addition, by providing one or more branch channels (detour channels) connected to the channel A again upstream from the branch channels, a fluid containing particles is introduced from the entrance, so that a certain size is obtained. A fluid containing no more particles or a fluid containing no particles is introduced into the bypass channel, and is introduced again into the channel A upstream from the branch channel.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 5 of the present invention, a bypass flow path in which particles of a certain size or more are not introduced is provided between the entrance of the flow path A and the branch flow path. By joining the path again to the flow path A upstream from the branch point, it becomes possible to introduce the fluid into the flow path A by dividing it into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles. It is not necessary to prepare a plurality of inlets and separately prepare a solution containing no particles.

  The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is the flow channel structure and method for concentration / classification of fine particles according to claim 3, wherein the fluid is continuously introduced into the flow channel A. As a method of introducing a fluid into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles, a centrifugal force, an electric field or a magnetic field is applied to the channel structure.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 6 of the present invention, when the branch channel has a channel structure that exists only on one side in the cross section of the channel A, the channel A is subjected to centrifugal force, electric field, magnetic field, and the like. In addition, since it is possible to introduce the fluid into the flow path A by dividing into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles, a plurality of inlets are created, and a solution not containing particles is separated. It is not necessary to prepare and introduce it.

  In addition, the invention according to claim 7 of the present invention is the concentration / concentration of fine particles according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6. In the flow path structure and method for classification, the scale of any of the width, depth, and diameter of the flow path is at least partially on the order of 1 centimeter or less, and the flow of fluid in the flow path Is at least partially stable laminar.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 7 of the present invention, since the flow in the flow path is a stable laminar flow, the movement of the particles is not disturbed, so that accurate separation and concentration of the particles are possible. It becomes.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. In the flow channel structure and method for concentration / classification of fine particles, the fluid is a liquid.

  Therefore, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, particles suspended in the liquid can be separated and concentrated.

  In addition, among the present inventions, the invention according to claim 9 is the fine particle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, or 7. In the flow channel structure and method for concentration / classification, the fluid is a gas.

  Therefore, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, particles dispersed in a gas can be separated and concentrated.

  Further, the invention according to claim 10 of the present invention is claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 7, claim 8, or claim 9. In the flow channel structure and method for concentration / classification of microparticles according to any one of the above, the particles are cells.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 10 of the present invention, for example, it becomes possible to separate and concentrate blood cells, and to separate and concentrate microorganisms contained in environmental water or the atmosphere. Useful for.

  Further, among the present inventions, the invention described in claim 11 is the invention described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Alternatively, in the flow channel structure and method for concentrating and classifying fine particles according to any one of claims 10, the flow channel is a microchannel formed in a microchip.

  Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 11 of the present invention, the shape of the flow path can be accurately controlled, and since the flow paths can be easily serialized and parallelized, the separation performance is improved. And improvement in throughput.

The invention's effect

  Since the present invention has the characteristics as described above, all the introduced particles are separated by size simply by introducing a fluid containing particles and a fluid not containing particles into a channel having a certain shape. -It is possible to concentrate and collect, and when it collects larger particles, it exhibits an excellent effect that small particles are not included.

  In addition, since the present invention has the characteristics as described above, compared to conventional particle separation or concentration techniques such as flow cytometry, centrifugation, sedimentation separation, and separation using static electricity, It exhibits the excellent effect that particles can be separated and concentrated according to size in a short time without the need for complicated equipment or external force.

  Hereinafter, a flow channel structure for concentrating and separating fine particles according to the present invention and a mode of the method will be described in detail with reference to the attached documents.

  FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) show the principle of the flow channel structure and method for separating and concentrating fine particles according to the present invention. FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) show the most basic particles. This is an example of separation and concentration.

  In FIG. 1A, a flow path 11 extended in a certain predetermined direction has a branch flow path 12 in the middle, and an arrow 13 indicates the direction of the flow of fluid introduced into the flow path 11. Arrows 14 and 15 indicate the direction of the flow of fluid introduced into the branch flow path 12 and the direction of the flow of fluid introduced downstream of the flow path 11, respectively. A dotted line 16 represents the boundary between the fluid portion introduced into the branch flow channel 12 and the fluid portion introduced downstream of the flow channel 11. The channel A in the claims is the channel 11, and the branch point in the channel A is the branch point 17.

  A fluid in which large particles and small particles are suspended is continuously introduced into the flow path 11. If the flow rate introduced into the branch channel 12 is smaller than a certain value, only small particles flowing in the vicinity of the wall of the channel 11 are introduced into the branch channel 12, and the larger particles have a diameter of the channel width of the branch channel 12. Even if it is smaller, it is not introduced into the branch channel 12 but is introduced downstream of the channel 11. That is, a fluid that does not contain particles of a certain size or more can be recovered from the branch flow path 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of branch channels are provided in the channel 11, and a fluid not containing particles (fluid 18) and a fluid in which particles are suspended (fluid 19) are introduced into the channel 11, By adjusting the flow rate introduced into each channel, separation / concentration in multiple stages becomes possible. Here, the boundary between the fluid 18 and the fluid 19 is represented by a dotted line 23.

  In this case, the branch flow path is provided below the flow path 11, but naturally, it may be provided on the upper side or on one side or both sides of the front and back of the paper.

  Further, by appropriately designing the structure of the flow path 11 and the branch flow path, it is possible to remove all of the fluid portion of the fluid 19 and particles smaller than a certain size from the branch flow path group 20, By doing so, particles of a certain size or more in the channel 11 downstream of the branch channel group 20 are arranged in a line on the wall side, and the particles 22-a are branched from the branch channel 21-a. The particles 22-b can be recovered from the channel 21-b, and the particles 22-c can be recovered from the branch channel 21-c in a more concentrated state than before introduction. Here, the particles 22-a, 22-b and 22-c are different in size, 22-a is the smallest and 22-c is the largest particle.

  The flow rate of the fluid introduced into each branch channel may be adjusted by attaching a valve downstream of the channel or changing the viscosity of the fluid by adjusting the temperature downstream of the channel. It is a simple method to design a flow path structure in consideration of the resistance of the flow path in advance.

  The flow path structure of FIG. 1 (b) shows the principle of selecting particles in three times after concentration, but the flow paths for selection (flow paths 21-a, 21-b, (Corresponding to 21-c) may be zero, one, two, four or more.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a flow channel structure and method for concentrating and separating fine particles according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the attached documents.

  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show a microchip 24 that includes an embodiment of a flow channel structure for concentrating and separating fine particles according to the present invention and a method thereof, and FIG. 2 (b) and 2 (c), FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. 2 (c) is FIG. 2 (a). It is sectional drawing by CC line | wire in FIG. 3 (a) is an enlarged view of the entire flow path in FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 3 (b) is an enlarged view of a part 48-a of FIG. 3 (a), and FIG. ) Is an enlarged view of a part 48-b of FIG.

  The microchip 24 collects a fluid containing no particles having a diameter of about 7 μm or more and a fluid containing particles having a diameter of 7 μm or more separately when a fluid containing particles and a fluid containing no particles are continuously introduced. , A microchip capable of selectively separating and concentrating particles having diameters of about 20 to 18 μm, 18 to 15 μm, 15 to 14 μm, 14 to 12 μm, 12 to 11 μm, 11 to 10 μm, 10 to 8 μm, and 8 to 7 μm It is formed by two flat substrates 25 and 26 formed of a polymer material, for example, PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

  In addition to PDMS, various polymer materials such as acrylic, glass, silicon, stainless steel, ceramics, various metals, and the like can be used as a material for the microfluidic device.

  A flow path structure is formed on the lower surface 25-a of the substrate 25. For example, the depth is about 25 μm, but this value can be set to any value from 0.1 μm to 1 cm, for example. is there.

  The inlet 27 is a fluid containing particles, the inlet 28 is a fluid inlet not containing particles, and the outlets 29 to 37 are fluid outlets.

  The flow path 38 is a flow path connecting the inlets 27 and 28 and the outlet 29. The flow path 38 is formed by three portions 38-a, 38-b, and 38-c having different widths, and 38-b that is a part thereof. Branch channel group 39 and branch channels 40 to 47 exist. The flow path 38 corresponds to the flow path A in the claims.

  The entire length of the flow path 38 is, for example, about 7 mm, and the widths of the portions 38-a, 38-b, 38-c are, for example, 100 μm, 40 μm, and 100 μm, respectively, but these values are necessary. Accordingly, it can be adjusted to an arbitrary value of 1 μm or more.

  Further, the outlets 30 to 37 are connected from the flow path 38-b via the branch flow paths 40 to 47, respectively. Furthermore, each branch flow path (for example, 40) consists of a thin part (for example, 40-a) and a thick part (for example, 40-b), and each width is 30 micrometers and 60 micrometers, and adjacent branch flow paths The center-to-center distance is 130 μm. These values can be adjusted to any value of 1 μm or more as necessary. Furthermore, these flow paths may have the same thickness.

  The length of the narrow part in the branch flow paths 40 to 47 is designed to become longer as it approaches the outlet 40 from the outlet 40, such as 1620 μm for 40-a and 15000 μm for 47-a. With this design, particles having a diameter of about 18 to 20 μm are supplied to the branch flow channel 40, particles having a diameter of about 15 to 18 μm are supplied to the branch flow channel 41, and particles having a diameter of about 14 to 15 μm are supplied to the branch flow channel 42. Particles with a diameter of about 12-14 μm are in the channel 43, particles with a diameter of about 11-12 μm are in the branch channel 44, particles with a diameter of about 10-11 μm are in the branch channel 45, and diameters are in the branch channel 46. Particles having a diameter of about 8 to 10 μm and particles having a diameter of about 7 to 8 μm are selected in the branch channel 47. These values are adjusted to an arbitrary value of 1 μm or more as necessary. be able to.

  The branch channel group 39 includes 40 branch channels (39-1 to 39-40) each having a length of 18 mm, and is open to the outside on the side surface of the microchip 24. Moreover, these lengths can be adjusted to an arbitrary value of 1 μm or more, and the number may be less or more than 40.

  Each branch channel (for example, 39-40) is composed of a thin part (for example, 39-40-a) and a thick part (for example, 39-40-b), and the respective widths are 20 μm and 40 μm. The distance between the centers of the adjacent branch channels is 70 μm. Moreover, these values can also be adjusted to arbitrary values of 1 μm or more, and these flow paths may have the same thickness.

  The lengths of the narrow portions of the branch flow paths 39-1 to 39-40 are 39-1-a to 39-40, such as about 14000 μm for 39-1-a and about 9000 μm for 39-40-a. Designed to gradually increase to -a. With this design, it is possible to introduce about 2% of the fluid passing through each branch point into each branch channel of the branch channel group 39 at 40 branch points.

  A method for concentrating and separating particles such as animal and plant cells, organelles, microorganisms, aerosols, ceramic particles, polymer particles, emulsions, inorganic particles, and metal nanoparticles using the above-described microchip in the above configuration will be described.

  First, a fluid in which particles are suspended in a fluid such as water or air, or a fluid in which particles to be separated are suspended from the beginning, such as blood or environmental water, is prepared.

  Also, a fluid containing no particles is prepared.

  The prepared fluid containing particles is continuously introduced into the microchip 24 from the inlet 27 and the fluid not containing particles is introduced into the microchip 24 from the inlet 28, respectively. At this time, it is desirable to introduce the fluid flow in the flow path while keeping the state of laminar flow as much as possible.

  When introduced into the channel structure of the microchip 24, the outlets 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 are about 6.8%, 5.2%, 4.0%, and 3.2, respectively. %, 2.4%, 2.0%, 1.6%, 1.2% of the fluid is expected to flow out.

  Actually, 3 μm and 5 μm fluorescent particles suspended in 5 wt% of dextran solution and 5 wt% of dextran solution were continuously fed from the inlets 27 and 28 to the microchip 24 using a syringe pump at a flow rate of 20 μL / min. As a result, it was confirmed that almost 100% of both particles were introduced into the branch channel group 39.

  The dextran solution may not be used. Moreover, when blood is diluted and introduced, red blood cells and white blood cells can be separated, and further, the white blood cells can be separated and collected for each type.

  In the microchip 24, by using two inlets, a fluid containing particles and a fluid not containing particles are used and divided into respective parts. However, when a structure like the microchip 49 shown in FIG. 4 is used, By only introducing a fluid containing particles into the flow channel, it can be divided into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles in the middle of the flow channel, and a plurality of inlets are provided. An effect similar to that of introducing a fluid containing particles and a fluid not containing particles can be obtained.

  In the structure such as the microchip 24, the number of inlets may be two or more. In the structure such as the microchip 49, one or more inlets may be used.

  4 (a) is a view taken along arrow A in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c), FIG. 4 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 (a), and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.

  When a fluid containing particles is introduced from the inlet 52, the microchip 49 can be separated into a fluid containing particles having a diameter of 1.0 μm or more and a fluid not containing particles having a diameter of 1.0 μm or more. It is a microchip capable of selectively separating and concentrating particles of 1.0 to 1.5 μm, 1.5 to 2.0 μm, and 2.0 to 2.5 μm.

  The channel structure is formed on the lower surface 50-a of the substrate 50, and the depth thereof is, for example, about 5 μm. This value can be adjusted to an arbitrary value of 0.1 μm or more.

  The channel 53 has outlets 56, 57, 58, 59, and the inlet 52 is an inlet for introducing a fluid containing particles.

  The flow channel 53 includes five portions 53-a to e having different widths, and the portions 53-b and 53-c share the branch flow channel group 54, and 53-d indicates the branch flow channel group 55. And branch passages 60-62.

  The branch channel group 54 is composed of 50 branch channels and has a structure connecting the channel 53-b and the channel 53-c. The number is adjusted to an arbitrary number of one or more. it can. The branch channel group 54 is designed so that a fluid not containing particles of 1.0 μm or more is introduced.

  The branch channel group 55 is composed of 80 branch channels having a length of 25 mm, and is open to the outside on the side surface of the microchip 49, but may be 80 or more or less as required. The branch channel group 55 is designed so that a fluid not containing particles of 1.0 μm or more is introduced.

  The channels 60, 61, 62 connected to the outlets 57, 58, 59, respectively, selectively introduce particles having a diameter of 1.0 to 1.5 μm, 1.5 to 2.0 μm, and 2.0 to 2.5 μm. Designed to be. Thereby, it is possible to collect | recover the particle | grains of each magnitude | size in the concentrated form from each exit.

  In addition to the design shown in FIG. 4, the same effect can be obtained with the design shown in FIGS. 5A, 5 </ b> B, and 5 </ b> C.

  FIG. 5D shows an example of a device in the case of using a force from the outside of the microdevice such as a centrifugal force, an electric field, or a magnetic field. In this case, since a centrifugal field, a magnetic field, or an electric field is applied to at least one portion of the flow path in the direction of the arrow 63, the fluid can be introduced separately into the fluid portion containing particles and the fluid portion not containing particles. The same effect can be obtained as when two or more inlets are provided, or when flow division or integration is used.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), the branch channel group is connected to a thick and long channel so that fluid can be discharged from one outlet. May be used. Here, FIG. 6A is a device that continuously introduces a fluid containing particles and a fluid that does not contain particles, and FIGS. 6B to 6E continuously introduce only a fluid containing particles. FIG. 6F shows a device in which only a fluid containing particles is continuously introduced, and a centrifugal field, a magnetic field, and an electric field are further applied.

  When the flow path structure for concentration / classification of fine particles described in the present invention and the method thereof are used, for example, as a dust collector, in the blood field in the medical field, or in the water quality test, a small amount is contained in the water. It can be used when investigating germs and microorganisms that are not.

  When the flow channel structure and method for concentration / classification of microparticles described in the present invention are used, for example, very few cells with different morphologies contained in a complex cell population can be obtained without using a complex device. It can be concentrated, separated and selected, and is extremely effective in biochemistry and medicine.

  Furthermore, when the flow path structure and method for concentration / classification of fine particles described in the present invention are used, concentration / classification of microorganisms slightly contained in environmental water, separation of synthesized polymer particles, and emulsion It is possible to concentrate and classify soft particles, which is very useful.

  In addition, by using the flow path structure for concentration and classification of fine particles described in the present invention and the method thereof, fine particles such as aerosol, pollen, house dust, etc. in the air can be efficiently separated and recovered, Very useful.

FIG. 1 shows a principle diagram of a flow channel structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles according to the present invention. 2 shows a microchip 21 equipped with an embodiment for concentrating and classifying microparticles according to the present invention, in which FIG. 2 (a) is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), and FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2A. 3 (a) is an enlarged view of the entire flow path in FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 3 (b) is an enlarged view of a part 45-a of FIG. 3 (a), and FIG. ) Is an enlarged view of a part 45-b of FIG. 4 shows a microchip 58 equipped with an embodiment of fine particle concentration / classification according to the present invention, FIG. 4 (a) is a view taken along arrow A in FIG. 4 (b) and FIG. 4 (c), and FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. Moreover, FIG.4 (d) is an enlarged view of the whole flow path in Fig.4 (a). FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are examples of a channel structure using a bypass channel in the concentration and classification of fine particles according to the present invention, and FIG. 5D is a force such as a centrifugal field, an electric field, and a magnetic field. It is an example of the flow-path structure for isolate | separating and concentrating microparticles | fine-particles. 6 (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are examples of a channel structure in which branch channel groups are collectively connected to one outlet in the concentration / classification of fine particles according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

11: Channel 12: Branch channel 13: Fluid flow direction 14: Fluid flow direction 15: Fluid flow direction 16: Fluid boundary 17: Branch point 18: Fluid part 19: Fluid part 20: Branch channel group 21: Branch channel 22: Particle 23: Fluid boundary 24: Micro device 25: Substrate 26: Substrate 27: Inlet 28: Inlet 29: Outlet 30: Outlet 31: Outlet 32: Outlet 33: Outlet 34 : Outlet 35: outlet 36: outlet 37: outlet 38: channel 39: branch channel group 40: branch channel 41: branch channel 42: branch channel 43: branch channel 44: branch channel 45: branch flow Channel 46: Branch channel 47: Branch channel 48: Part of device 49: Micro device 50: Substrate 51: Substrate 52: Inlet 53: Channel 54: Branch channel group 55: Branch channel group 56: Outlet 57 : Outlet 58: outlet 59: outlet 60: branch channel 61:岐流 path 62: branch flow path 63: the direction of the centrifugal force, electric or power of the magnetic field or the like from the outside

Claims (11)

A channel A extending in a predetermined direction, one or more branch points on the side surface of the channel A, and a scale such as a length, a width, a depth, and a diameter connected to the channel A at the branch point A flow path structure having one or more branch flow paths in which at least one of them is appropriately adjusted,
When the fluid is continuously introduced from one end of the flow path A, by introducing the fluid so as to be separated into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles,
At the branch point, particles having a certain size or larger can be prevented from being introduced into the branch channel at the branch point, and particles having a certain size or smaller are introduced downstream of the channel A. Because it can be prevented from
All the introduced fluids containing particles of a certain size or less, or fluids containing no particles of a certain size or more, can be recovered from the branch flow path, and the concentration of particles of a certain size or more can be recovered. Can be recovered from the downstream of the flow path A,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. A channel A extending in a predetermined direction, a plurality of branch points on the side surface of the channel A, and connected to the channel A at each of the plurality of branch points, such as length, width, depth, diameter, etc. Using a flow path structure having one or more branch flow paths in which at least one of the scales is appropriately adjusted,
When the fluid is continuously introduced from one end of the flow path A, by introducing the fluid so as to be separated into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles,
In at least one of the plurality of branch points, particles having a certain size or more can be prevented from being introduced into the branch channel at the branch point, and particles having a certain size or less. Can be prevented from being introduced downstream of the flow path A, and at least one of the plurality of branch points, particles having a certain size or more may flow at the branch point. Can be introduced to the road,
All the particles having a certain size or more introduced are concentrated near the wall side of the flow path A, and further, the concentrated particles can be recovered from some of the plurality of branch flow paths.
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow path structure and method for concentration / classification of fine particles according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The branch flow channel existing in the middle of the flow channel A exists only in one side cross section of the flow channel A.
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow path structure and method for concentration / classification of fine particles according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3,
When the fluid is continuously introduced into the flow path A, as a method of introducing the fluid so as to be divided into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles,
Providing a plurality of inlets, introducing a fluid containing particles from at least one inlet, and introducing a fluid not containing particles from at least one inlet;
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow channel structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles according to claim 3,
When a fluid is continuously introduced into the flow path A, as a method of introducing the fluid separately into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles,
A branch channel (a bypass channel) that once branches from the channel A to the channel A between the inlet and the branch channel and is connected to the channel A again upstream of the branch channel. And by introducing a fluid containing particles from the entrance,
Introducing a fluid that does not contain particles of a certain size or more, or a fluid that does not contain any particles, into the bypass channel, and introduces the fluid again into the channel A upstream from the branch channel;
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow channel structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles according to claim 3,
When a fluid is continuously introduced into the flow path A, as a method of introducing the fluid separately into a fluid portion containing particles and a fluid portion not containing particles,
Apply centrifugal force, electric field or magnetic field to the channel structure,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow path structure and method for fine particle concentration / classification according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5 or 6,
The scale of any of the width, depth, and diameter of the flow path is at least partially on the order of 1 centimeter or less, and the fluid flow in the flow path is at least partially stable laminar flow,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow path structure and method for fine particle concentration / classification according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. ,
Fluid is liquid,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. In the flow path structure and method for fine particle concentration / classification according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. ,
A fluid is a gas,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. The concentration / classification of fine particles according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. In a flow channel structure and method therefor,
A particle is a cell,
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles. The fine particles according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In the flow path structure and method for concentration and classification,
The flow path is a microchannel formed in a microchip.
Flow path structure and method for concentration and classification of fine particles.

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