US Patent 7638339 Hydrodynamic focusing devices

A micro-fluidic device containing a micro-fluidic inlet channel to convey a process flow, a plurality of micro-fluidic focusing channels to each convey one of a plurality of focusing flows, a focusing manifold coupled with the inlet channel at an inlet port thereof and with the plurality of focusing channels at a plurality of focusing channel ports thereof to focus the process flow by contacting and hydrodynamically impacting at least three sides of the process flow with the focusing flows, and a micro-fluidic outlet channel coupled with the focusing manifold at an outlet channel port to convey the combined focused process flow and focusing flow from the focusing manifold.