Method of generating droplets
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of generating droplets. In an exemplary method, a device including a sample well, a carrier well, a droplet well, and a plurality of microfluidic channels is selected. The microfluidic channels include a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel. A discrete volume of sample-containing fluid is placed into the sample well, and a discrete volume of carrier fluid is placed into the carrier well. A pressure differential is created after placing the discrete volumes, to cause fluid flow. Sample-containing fluid flows from the sample well to a droplet-generation region of the device via the first channel. Carrier fluid flows from the carrier well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel. Sample-containing droplets and carrier fluid flow from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of generating droplets, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of generating droplets, the method comprising:
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selecting a device including a plurality of emulsion-generation units, each emulsion-generation unit including a sample well, a carrier well, a droplet well, and a plurality of microfluidic channels connecting the wells to a droplet-generation region, wherein the microfluidic channels include at least three channels that meet one another at the 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 each well has an upper portion 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 sample-containing fluid into the sample well of each emulsion-generation unit, and carrier fluid into the carrier well of each emulsion-generation unit; and
creating a pressure differential in each emulsion-generation unit after the step of placing, such that (a) sample-containing fluid flows from the sample well to the droplet-generation region, (b) carrier fluid flows from the carrier well to the droplet-generation region, and (c) sample-containing droplets and carrier fluid flow from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well;wherein the step of creating a pressure differential is performed via a manifold, and wherein the manifold is sealed to each droplet well with a gasket that is engaged with a rim of the droplet well. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of generating droplets, the method comprising:
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selecting a device including a body and cover layer, the body being injection molded as a single piece and including a base portion and a plurality of protrusions projecting from a top surface of the base portion, a bottom surface of the base portion having a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein, the cover layer being attached to the bottom surface of the base portion and sealing a bottom side of each microfluidic channel, the device providing a sample well, a carrier well, and a droplet well, wherein an upper portion of each well is formed by one of the protrusions, and wherein the microfluidic channels include a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another at a droplet-generation region; 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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification