A High-Throughput Microfluidic Cell Sorter Using a Three-Dimensional Coupled Hydrodynamic-Dielectrophoretic Pre-Focusing Module

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a powerful tool for label-free sorting of cells, even those with subtle differences in morphological and dielectric properties. Nevertheless, major limitation that most existing DEP techniques can efficiently sort cells only at low throughputs (<1 mL h−1). Here, we demonstrate the integration three-dimensional (3D) coupled hydrodynamic-DEP cell pre-focusing module upstream main region enables 10-fold increase throughput compared to conventional approaches. To better understand key principles requirements high-throughput separation, present comprehensive theoretical model study scaling hydrodynamic electrostatic forces on high flow rate regimes. Based model, show critical cell-to-electrode distance needs be ≤10 µm efficient our proposed microfluidic platform, especially rates ≥ 1 h−1. findings, computational fluid dynamics particle tracking analysis were developed find optimum operation parameters (e.g., ratios electric fields) 3D focusing module. Using these parameters, experimentally live/dead K562 as 10 h−1 (>150,000 min−1) 90% separation purity, 85% recovery, no negative impact viability.