US 11,833,508 B2
Multi-dimensional double spiral device and methods of use thereof
Jongyoon Han, Bedford, MA (US); and Hyungkook Jeon, Cambridge, MA (US)
Assigned to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/488,463.
Application 17/488,463 is a continuation of application No. 16/683,917, filed on Nov. 14, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/767,729, filed on Nov. 15, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0088588 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/5027 (2013.01) [B01L 2200/0652 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0809 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0864 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0883 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0487 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of separating sperm cells from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of sperm and cells, wherein the sample fluid is a semen sample, the method comprising the steps of:
a. introducing a sample fluid comprising sperm and cells into a first inlet of a first spiral microchannel of a microfluidic device comprising a multidimensional double spiral (MDDS), wherein the MDDS comprises:
i. the first spiral microchannel comprising the first inlet and a first outlet;
ii. a second spiral microchannel in fluid communication with the first spiral microchannel and comprising an inner wall outlet and an outer wall outlet, wherein the inner wall outlet is located on the inner wall side of the second spiral microchannel and the outer wall outlet is located on the outer wall side of the second microchannel; and
iii. a transition region, wherein the transition region is a microchannel that connects the first and the second spiral microchannels, wherein a first end of the transition region microchannel has the same diameter as the first spiral microchannel and is connected to the outlet of the first spiral microchannel and a second end of the transition region microchannel has the same diameter as the second spiral microchannel and is connected to the inlet of the second spiral microchannel, wherein the output from the first spiral microchannel is directed into the second spiral microchannel in through the transition region microchannel;
wherein the first spiral microchannel has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second spiral microchannel;
wherein the cross-sectional area of the first spiral microchannel remains constant along the length of the first spiral microchannel and wherein the cross-sectional area of the second spiral microchannel remain constant along its length; and
wherein the MDDS is configured to separate cells and sperm from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of sperm and cells;
b. directing the sample fluid through the first spiral microchannel to the transition region microchannel of the microfluidic device and into the second spiral microchannel, and
c. directing a first stream comprising cells to the inner wall outlet and directing a second stream comprising sperm to the outer wall outlet, wherein the first spiral microchannel concentrates the cells and sperm into a concentrated cell and sperm stream and the second spiral microchannel separates sperm from the cells in the concentrated cell and sperm stream based on their sizes.