US 12,128,409 B2
Microchip and microparticle fractionating device
Kazuya Takahashi, Kanagawa (JP); Tatsumi Ito, Kanagawa (JP); and Yoichi Katsumoto, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Sony Group Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/687,500.
Application 17/687,500 is a continuation of application No. 16/483,070, granted, now 11,305,281, previously published as PCT/JP2018/005148, filed on Feb. 15, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 2017-027583 (JP), filed on Feb. 17, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0184623 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 15/14 (2024.01); G01N 15/1404 (2024.01); G01N 15/149 (2024.01)
CPC B01L 3/502761 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502776 (2013.01); G01N 15/1404 (2013.01); G01N 15/1484 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0636 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0652 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0819 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0864 (2013.01); B01L 2400/049 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1415 (2013.01); G01N 15/149 (2024.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microchip comprising:
a main flow path through which a liquid containing microparticles flows;
a branch flow path configured to branch from the main flow path; and
an orifice section which is coaxial with the main flow path,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the main flow path is constant up to a branch start position or continuously decreases toward the branch start position,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the branch flow path continuously decreases in an advancing direction of a flow of a liquid from a start position of the branch flow path, and
a minimum cross-sectional area of the branch flow path is between one fifth and one half of the cross-sectional area of the main flow path at the branch start position, such that the minimum cross-sectional area is configured to reduce clogging.