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Method of generating droplets

  • US 10,279,350 B2
  • Filed: 11/30/2016
  • Issued: 05/07/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of generating droplets, the method comprising:

  • selecting a device including a sample well, a carrier well, a droplet well, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, the microfluidic channels including a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another at a droplet-generation region, wherein the device includes an upper member and a lower member, wherein the upper member has a base portion and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the protrusions are formed integrally with the base portion and project from a top surface of the base portion, wherein a rim of each well is formed by one of the protrusions, wherein the microfluidic channels are formed in a bottom surface of the base portion, and wherein the lower member is attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and seals a bottom side of each of the microfluidic channels;

    placing a discrete volume of sample-containing fluid into the sample well, and a discrete volume of carrier fluid into the carrier well; and

    creating a pressure differential after the step of placing, such that (a) sample-containing fluid flows from the sample well to the droplet-generation region of the device via the first channel, (b) carrier fluid flows from the carrier well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and (c) sample-containing droplets and carrier fluid flow from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel.

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