Electronic Separation of Biological Cells by Volume

TLDR

The device measures cell volume with a Coulter aperture, charges droplets containing each cell proportionally, and deflects them in an electrostatic field into a collection vessel. It successfully separates mixed cell populations by volume, separating mouse and human erythrocytes and mouse lymphoma cells, while preserving the viability of Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Abstract

A device capable of separating biological cells (suspended in a conducting medium) according to volume has been developed. Cell volume is measured in a Coulter aperture, and the cells are subsequently isolated in droplets of the medium which are charged according to the sensed volume. The charged droplets then enter an electrostatic field and are deflected into a collection vessel. Mixtures of mouse and human erythrocytes and a large volume component of mouse lymphoma cells were separated successfully. In tests with Chinese hamster ovary cells essentially all cells survived separation and grew at their normal rate.