Method for the Hydrodynamic Focusing of a Fluid Flow and Associated Assembly

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The patent describes a method and an associated assembly for hydrodynamically focusing a fluid flow in a microfluidic channel. The technique uses a sheath (enveloping) fluid with a swirling (vortex) motion to concentrate the main fluid stream within a specific channel section. This hydrodynamic focusing is particularly useful for precisely aligning small volumes of fluid, such as cells or particles, within microfluidic systems, enabling subsequent analysis or processing.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Flow cytometry for single-cell analysis or blood cell counting
• Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platforms for medical diagnostics (e.g., blood, DNA, or virus detection)
• On-chip sample preparation before analysis by optical, electrical, or other measurement techniques
• Portable analysis devices for field diagnostics of biological or chemical samples
• Industrial process monitoring (counting or analyzing particulates in air or liquids)

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise focusing of fluid streams, improving measurement accuracy and efficiency
• Adaptable to various applications, especially for microfluidic and analytical systems
• Can focus both liquids and gases, broadening its range of use
• The swirling motion allows all-sided focusing, even in channels with small heights
• Facilitates high-throughput and single-particle/cell analysis in biomedical applications
• Can be produced with cost-effective manufacturing techniques (e.g., injection molding, hot embossing)
• Suitable for disposable (single-use) chips, reducing cross-contamination and maintenance
• Simplifies the design of microfluidic systems compared to conventional methods, making them easier to manufacture and customize

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the hydrodynamic focusing of a fluid flow in a fluidic channel structure, in particular a microfluidic channel structure, according to which the fluid flow is hydrodynamically focused. To achieve this, the fluid flow is conducted in a fluid sheath flow with a swirling action that hydrodynamically focuses the fluid flow in a focusing channel section (1) of the fluidic channel structure. The invention also relates to an assembly that is designed to carry out said method.