Systems and methods for particle focusing in microchannels

Abstract

Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines, comprising:
 a substrate;   at least one channel provided on the substrate, the at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet;   a fluid moving along the at least one channel in a laminar flow and including suspended particles;   a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid;   wherein the fluid, the channel, and the pumping element are configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.   
     
     
         2 .- 196 . (canceled)