| abstract |
Microscopy methods and apparatus for manipulation, detection, imaging, characterization, sorting and/or assembly of biological or other materials, involving an integration of CMOS or other semiconductor-based technology and microfluidics in connection with a microscope. In one implementation, a microscope including optics and a stage is outfitted with various components relating to the generation of electric and/or magnetic fields, which are implemented on an IC chip. A microfluidic system is fabricated either directly on top of the IC chip, or as a separate entity that is then appropriately bonded to the IC chip, to facilitate the introduction and removal of cells in a biocompatible environment, or other particles/objects of interest suspended in a fluid. The patterned electric and/or magnetic fields generated by the IC chip can trap and move biological cells or other objects inside the microfluidic system to facilitate viewing via the microscope. |