Methods and devices for high throughput purification

Abstract

Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for transferring cells in a blood sample to a fluid medium, comprising flowing a blood sample and the fluid medium through separate inlets of a microfluidic device, wherein said device comprises:
 a) at least one microfluidic channel having at least two inlets and a plurality of outlets; and   b) an array of obstacles arranged in rows and columns within the microfluidic channel, wherein the array of obstacles is configured to differentially separate cells based on size;   wherein the blood sample is flowed at a flow rate of at least 100 ml/hour, and wherein passing the sample through the microfluidic channel transfers cells larger than a predetermined size to the fluid medium.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blood sample is undiluted. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blood sample is diluted up to five-fold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blood sample is prepared in the form an apheresis or leukapheresis sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid medium is a buffer medium. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blood sample is at least 100 mL. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of cells in the blood sample is at least 1×10 6  cells/mL. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least five microfluidic channels in parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells larger than the predetermined size comprise leukocytes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells larger than the predetermined size comprise T cells. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells larger than the predetermined size comprise infiltrating cells or stromal host cells from a tumor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the radius of curvature of an edge to an adjacent side of each of the obstacles is no greater than 0.25. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of each of the obstacles comprises three or more points.