UNIT AND METHODS FOR HIGH-PRODUCTIVE SPERM SORTING Russian patent published in 2017 - IPC B01L3/02 G01N21/01 

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: sperm sorting system includes a sample source, a substrate, at least one flow path formed in the substrate, at least one deflection mechanism communicating with each of at least one flow path for selective deflection of sperm in at least one flow channel from the first outlet channel, an electromagnetic radiation source for sperm illumination in the inspection area, a detector aligned in so as to measure the sperm characteristics in the inspection area of at least one flow path, an analyzer communicating with a detector for determination of sperm characteristics, a controller communicating with the analyzer for selective actuation of the deflection mechanism based on the measured sperm characteristics, and a collection tank communicating with the second outlet channel. At that, the flow path comprises an inlet channel in fluid communication with the sample source. The flow path further comprises an inspection area, the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel. The specified at least one flow path has geometric configuration to form a central jet, comprising a sidefocusing fluid region, the first vertical fluid focusing channel, and the second vertical fluid focusing channel. The first vertical fluid focusing channel and the second vertical fluid focusing channel are in contact with the vertically opposite sides of the flow path. The microfluidic chip for sperm sorting comprises a substrate, a plurality of flow paths formed in the substrate. Each flow path comprises an inlet channel, a fluid focusing region, a sperm orientation region having a channel geometry that directs the spermatozoa within the flow path, an inspection area located at least partially downstream of the fluid focusing region and the sperm orientation region, at least the first outlet channel and the second outlet port, and a deflection mechanism communicating with each flow path. The sperm sorting method comprises the steps of sperm flow through a plurality of flow paths in the microfluidic chip, sperm orientation within the plurality of flow channels, oriented sperm flowing through the inspection area in the flow paths, sperm examination in at least one inspection area to determine sperm characteristics, differentiate the oriented semen from non-oriented sperm in the flow paths, selection of a subpopulation of oriented sperm based on the detected sperm characteristics and collection of the selected sperm subpopulation into the collection tank. The step of sperm orientation in each channel includes the first vertical action on the spermatozoa in each channel and sequentially the second action on the spermatozoa in each channel in the opposite direction with respect to the first vertical action.

EFFECT: reduced sperm damage and improved sorting.

141 cl, 66 dwg