Microfluidic device

• US 10,058,862 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2015
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Biosensor Inc.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jong Gun, Kim, Seung Hyun, Kim, Seung Hoon, Min, Jung Ki, Lee, Yang-Ui, Noh, Jae Sang
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US14/632,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 422 50, 422 681, 422502, 422503, 422504, 422537, 422547, 422550, 422554, 422551, 422552, 422553, 436 43, 436174, 436180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/07 Centrifugal type cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a microfluidic device, which includes a platform, at least one chamber provided in the platform to accommodate a sample, and at least one channel configured to couple the chambers to each other. The at least one chamber includes a detection chamber configured to detect the sample, and the microfluidic device further includes a light blocking portion configured to prevent external light from entering the detection chamber so as to prevent occurrence of errors in detection of the sample in the detection chamber. The microfluidic device can be useful for preventing the occurrence of detection errors which might otherwise be caused by interference of external light. The microfluidic device may also be useful for reducing an inspection time and for miniaturizing microfluidic devices. Further, the microfluidic device may be useful for preventing contaminants from entering the detection chamber.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device comprising:

a platform;

a plurality of chambers, including a first chamber which is provided in the platform and configured to accommodate a sample, and at least a second chamber; and

at least one channel configured to couple the first chamber to the at least the second chamber,

wherein the plurality of chambers further comprises;

a reaction chamber in which a reaction of the sample occurs;

a contaminant accommodation chamber configured to accommodate contaminants generated as a result of the reaction of the sample in the reaction chamber; and

a detection chamber configured to detect the sample,

wherein the contaminant accommodation chamber comprises an inlet port configured to facilitate a flow of the sample into the contaminant accommodation chamber, and an outlet port configured to facilitate a flow of the sample out from the contaminant accommodation chamber and into the detection chamber, and

the inlet port and the outlet port are spaced apart from each other, and

a linear distance between the outlet port and a central point of the platform is shorter than a linear distance between a center of the contaminant accommodation chamber and the central point of the platform.

2. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the sample moves via the at least one channel among the reaction chamber, the contaminant accommodation chamber, and the detection chamber.

3. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein a linear distance between the inlet port and the central point of the platform is shorter than a linear distance between a center of the contaminant accommodation chamber and the central point of the platform.

4. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising a light blocking portion configured to surround an outer wall of the detection chamber so as to prevent an occurrence of at least one error which relates to a detection of the sample in the detection chamber.

5. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising a valve provided on the at least one channel, wherein the valve includes phase transition material and exothermic particles dispersed in the phase transition material.

6. The microfluidic device of claim 5, wherein the phase transition material includes at least one of a wax, a gel and a thermoplastic resin.

7. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the first chamber, the second chamber, and the reaction chamber are all closer to the central point of the platform than the contaminant accommodation chamber.