Capillary barriers for staged loading of microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a fluidic system including a first microfluidic channel configured and arranged to guide a first liquid toward a fluid-interface region and including a second microfluidic channel configured and arranged to guide a second liquid toward the fluid-interface region;
a capillary barrier configured and arranged to arrest flow of the first liquid at the fluid-interface region using capillary forces, wherein the capillary barrier is at least in part defined by a change in a cross-sectional area, the change in the cross-sectional area being sufficient to arrest flow of the first liquid at the fluid-interface region;
a second capillary barrier configured and arranged to arrest flow of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region using capillary forces thereby to preserve an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and
an escape path through which fluid can escape from the fluid-interface region.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatuses for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels of a capillary structure. The methods and apparatuses can include providing at least one capillary barrier that positions a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces within the capillary structure. Additionally, a path is provided along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region. Additionally, gas pressure is released, via a gas-outflow port, from the fluid-interface region while flow of the first liquid is arrested. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid contact in the fluid-interface region with the capillary barrier holding the first liquid at the fluid-interface region.
44 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
a fluidic system including a first microfluidic channel configured and arranged to guide a first liquid toward a fluid-interface region and including a second microfluidic channel configured and arranged to guide a second liquid toward the fluid-interface region; a capillary barrier configured and arranged to arrest flow of the first liquid at the fluid-interface region using capillary forces, wherein the capillary barrier is at least in part defined by a change in a cross-sectional area, the change in the cross-sectional area being sufficient to arrest flow of the first liquid at the fluid-interface region; a second capillary barrier configured and arranged to arrest flow of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region using capillary forces thereby to preserve an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and an escape path through which fluid can escape from the fluid-interface region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels, the method comprising:
-
providing a capillary barrier to position a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces; providing a path along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region; providing a second capillary barrier to position a meniscus of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region; providing an escape path for escaping fluid to exit from the region between the first and second liquid; limiting a volume flow rate or a volume of the escaping fluid; arresting flow of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region with the second capillary barrier; and causing the first liquid and the second liquid to contact in the fluid-interface region thereby preserving an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
-
22. A method for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels, the method comprising:
-
providing a capillary barrier to position a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces; providing a path along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region; providing a second capillary barrier to position a meniscus of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region; using the second capillary barrier and capillary forces to arrest flow of the second liquid at the fluid-interface region; and causing the first liquid and the second liquid to contact in the fluid-interface region. - View Dependent Claims (23)
-
Specification