FIGURE 2.

Next‐generation microfluidic cell sorting strategies. A‐C, Microfluidic cell sorting strategies that utilize deterministic lateral displacement (A, adapted from McGrath et al,⁶⁹ streamlines obtained via CFD simulation), hydrodynamic focusing (B, adapted from Di Carlo et al⁷⁰) and cellular compression with lateral deflection (C). For DLD cells start in a given streamline. If the cell is larger than a critical size, they are displaced laterally into a new streamline due to interaction with the posts (P). For hydrodynamic focusing the balance between a wall interaction force, a shear gradient lift force and stokes drag dictate the presence of equilibrium positions for cells suspended in a liquid. Over time, cells will tend to occupy equilibrium positions within the channel, resulting in size based focusing. For cellular compression with lateral deflection, the sorting platform consists of a series of diagonal constrictions designed to deflect cells laterally relative to the main direction of flow in a manner related to their size and mechanical properties