A High Throughput Multiplexed Micro Coulter Counter Using Amplitude Modulation

We present the design, fabrication and testing of a multiplexed multichannel Coulter counter. The micromachined device is used to achieve high throughput for counting microparticles. Multiplexed detection is achieved by amplitude modulation of signals from individual channels, requiring only one set of detection electronics. Preliminary testing results using 30 mum polystyrene particles demonstrated the feasibility of the multiplexing design concept. The multiplexed detection principle can be extended to a larger number of channels to further improve the throughput.