Gravity-driven microhydrodynamics-based cell sorter (microHYCS) for rapid, inexpensive, and efficient cell separation and size-profiling

This paper describes a new type of gravity-driven polymeric microfluidic cell sorter developed for low-power, low-cost, and rapid cell separation. The device takes advantage of size-based differential migration of cells/particles in flows where widening of flow streamlines amplifies the separation between sample particles. We studied the migration and separation of polystyrene microbeads, red blood cells, and perfluorocarbon droplets used for ultrasound imaging and therapy having different sizes in the novel cell sorter. Compared to other conventional cell separation systems, microHYCS reduces power and cost requirements, and is advantageous for the development of easy-to-use sample separation and diagnostics tools.