US 12,325,023 B2
Methods for sorting particles
Rajiv Bharadwaj, Pleasanton, CA (US); Michael Schnall-Levin, San Francisco, CA (US); Anthony Makarewicz, Livermore, CA (US); and Steven Short, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Assigned to 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on May 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/143,272.
Application 18/143,272 is a continuation of application No. 17/851,416, filed on Jun. 28, 2022, granted, now 11,660,601.
Application 17/851,416 is a continuation of application No. 16/715,119, filed on Dec. 16, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/715,119 is a continuation of application No. 16/031,880, filed on Jul. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,544,413, issued on Jan. 28, 2020.
Application 16/031,880 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/033280, filed on May 17, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/508,219, filed on May 18, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0271187 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 15/10 (2024.01); G01N 15/1031 (2024.01); G01N 15/14 (2024.01); G01N 15/149 (2024.01)
CPC B01L 3/502761 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 3/502784 (2013.01); G01N 15/1023 (2024.01); G01N 15/1031 (2013.01); G01N 15/1484 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0652 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0415 (2013.01); B01L 2400/043 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1028 (2024.01); G01N 15/149 (2024.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for sorting droplets, comprising:
(a) bringing a first phase in contact with a second phase to generate a plurality of droplets, wherein the first phase and second phase are immiscible, wherein the plurality of droplets comprises field-attractable particles and wherein the plurality of droplets comprises (i) a first subset of droplets each including, and not more than, one biological particle, and (ii) a second subset of droplets each including more than one biological particle, wherein the biological particle is a cell, a derivative of a cell, or a constituent of a cell;
(b) directing the plurality of droplets along a first channel towards an intersection of the first channel with a second channel and a third channel; and
(c) subjecting the plurality of droplets comprising the field-attractable particles to an electric or magnetic field under conditions sufficient to separate all or a portion of the first subset of the plurality of droplets from all or a portion of the second subset of the plurality of droplets, wherein upon separation, all or the portion of the first subset of the plurality of droplets flows along the second channel and all or the portion of the second subset of the plurality of droplets flows along the third channel.