Device for generating droplets
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for generating droplets, comprising:
- a substantially planar base portion including a bottom surface having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein as recessed regions of the bottom surface;
a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion and each formed integrally with the base portion;
a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well, wherein each well has an upper portion created by one of the protrusions; and
a cover layer attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and sealing a bottom side of each microfluidic channel;
wherein the plurality of microfluidic channels includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region, andwherein the sample well is configured to supply sample-containing fluid to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, the carrier well is configured to supply carrier fluid to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and the droplet well is configured to receive sample-containing droplets in carrier fluid from the droplet-generation region via the third channel.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for generating droplets. An exemplary device comprises a substantially planar base portion including a bottom surface having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein as recessed regions of the bottom surface. The device also comprises a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion and each formed integrally with the base portion. The device further comprises a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well. Each well has an upper portion created by one of the protrusions. A cover layer is attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and seals a bottom side of each microfluidic channel.
326 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A device for generating droplets, comprising:
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a substantially planar base portion including a bottom surface having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein as recessed regions of the bottom surface; a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion and each formed integrally with the base portion; a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well, wherein each well has an upper portion created by one of the protrusions; and a cover layer attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and sealing a bottom side of each microfluidic channel; wherein the plurality of microfluidic channels includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region, and wherein the sample well is configured to supply sample-containing fluid to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, the carrier well is configured to supply carrier fluid to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and the droplet well is configured to receive sample-containing droplets in carrier fluid from the droplet-generation region via the third channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for generating droplets, comprising:
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an upper member injection molded as a single piece, the upper member defining a plane and a plurality of microfluidic channels arranged parallel to the plane; a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well, each well defining a central axis and including a floor and a side wall region, the side wall region being formed by the upper member, the side wall region extending upwardly from the floor and surrounding the central axis; and a lower member attached to the upper member and sealing a bottom side of each microfluidic channel; wherein the plurality of microfluidic channels includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region, and wherein the sample well is configured to supply sample-containing fluid to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, the carrier well is configured to supply carrier fluid to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and the droplet well is configured to receive sample-containing droplets in carrier fluid from the droplet-generation region via the third channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A device for generating droplets, comprising:
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a body injection molded as a single piece, the body including a base portion and a plurality of annular protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion, the base portion defining a plurality of microfluidic channels; a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well, wherein each well has an upper portion created by one of the annular protrusions; and a cover layer attached to the base portion and sealing a bottom side of each microfluidic channel; wherein the plurality of microfluidic channels includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region, and wherein the sample well is configured to supply sample-containing fluid to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, the carrier well is configured to supply carrier fluid to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and the droplet well is configured to receive sample-containing droplets in carrier fluid from the droplet-generation region via the third channel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification