US Patent 7390387 Method of sorting cells in series

A method of sorting cells comprises providing a fluid flow path for cell movement through a series of cell sorters in a first direction with an output of a preceding cell sorter of the series communicating with an input of a successive cell sorter of the series. Within each cell sorter, a first portion of the cells is separated from a second portion of the cells by applying a first non-uniform electric field via a first electrode array to cause movement of the first portion of the cells in a second direction across the fluid flow path, having a component generally transverse to the first direction into the output of a respective cell sorter.