Systems and methods for reagent storage
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device for storing a reagent, comprising:
- a single unit, comprising;
a first portion of the microfluidic device comprising a reagent storage compartment configured to hold a reagent;
a second portion of the microfludic device comprising a reaction chamber configured to receive the reagent and to support the reagent during a reaction process to form a product; and
a valve comprising a membrane, wherein the valve is located downstream of the reagent storage compartment and upstream of the reaction chamber relative to a flow path extending between the reagent storage and the reaction chamber, and the valve is configured to isolate the reagent storage compartment from the reaction chamber when the valve is in a closed state; and
a sealing mechanism positioned over the valve, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a support structure and a clamp extending from the support structure that is configured to contact the membrane and to depress the membrane to cause the valve to reach the closed state, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises arms extending from the support structure that flank the clamp, and the sealing mechanism is positioned over the valve such that the support structure is proximate to a first surface of the device, and the arms extending from the support structure are configured to extend into the device and via protrusions on ends of the arms to engage a second surface of the device at a location underneath the valve to hold the valve in the closed state.
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Abstract
A microfluidic device for storing a reagent includes a single unit includes a first portion having a reagent storage chamber configured to hold a reagent. The device also includes a second portion having a reaction chamber configured to support the reagent during a reaction process to form a product. The device also includes a valve configured to isolate the reagent storage compartment from the reaction chamber when the valve is in a closed state.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device for storing a reagent, comprising:
a single unit, comprising; a first portion of the microfluidic device comprising a reagent storage compartment configured to hold a reagent; a second portion of the microfludic device comprising a reaction chamber configured to receive the reagent and to support the reagent during a reaction process to form a product; and a valve comprising a membrane, wherein the valve is located downstream of the reagent storage compartment and upstream of the reaction chamber relative to a flow path extending between the reagent storage and the reaction chamber, and the valve is configured to isolate the reagent storage compartment from the reaction chamber when the valve is in a closed state; and a sealing mechanism positioned over the valve, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a support structure and a clamp extending from the support structure that is configured to contact the membrane and to depress the membrane to cause the valve to reach the closed state, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises arms extending from the support structure that flank the clamp, and the sealing mechanism is positioned over the valve such that the support structure is proximate to a first surface of the device, and the arms extending from the support structure are configured to extend into the device and via protrusions on ends of the arms to engage a second surface of the device at a location underneath the valve to hold the valve in the closed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for storing a reagent, comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising; one or more layers forming a substrate; a reagent storage compartment configured to store a reagent and disposed within the substrate; a reaction chamber fluidly coupled to the reagent storage compartment via a flow path extending between the reagent storage compartment and the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to hold the reagent during a reaction process; a valve disposed across the flow path downstream of the reagent storage compartment and upstream of the reaction chamber, wherein the valve comprises a membrane and is configured to isolate the reagent storage compartment from the reaction chamber when the valve is in a closed state; a sealing mechanism configured to be positioned over the valve, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a support structure and a clamp extending from the support structure that is configured to contact the membrane and to depress the membrane to cause the valve to reach the closed state, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises arms extending from the support structure that flank the clamp, and the sealing mechanism is positioned over the valve such that the support structure is proximate to a first surface of the device, and the arms extending from the support structure are configured to extend into the device and via protrusions on ends of the arms to engage a second surface of the device at a location underneath the valve to hold the valve in the closed state; and an interface system configured to manipulate the sealing mechanism to initiate the movement of the reagent from the reagent storage compartment toward the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of manufacturing a microfluidic device for storing a reagent, comprising:
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generating a substrate having one or more layers; creating a reagent storage compartment within the substrate, the reagent storage compartment having an inlet and a flow path configured to transport a reagent from the reagent storage compartment; coupling one or more additional layers having a reaction chamber formed therein to the flow path; inserting a reagent into the reagent storage compartment via the inlet; applying a valve having a valve body and a membrane along the flow path downstream of the reagent storage compartment and upstream of the reaction chamber; and positioning a sealing mechanism comprising a clamp over the membrane; moving the sealing mechanism relative to the valve to cause the clamp to contact and to depress the membrane to seal the flow path and to contain the reagent within the reagent storage compartment, and mechanically locking the sealing mechanism about the valve by driving arms of the sealing mechanism that flank the clamp through the valve body from a first side of the valve body to a second side of the valve body to enable protrusions on ends of the arms to engage a surface on the second side of the valve body located underneath the valve body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification