Dissolution guided wetting of structured surfaces

• US 10,364,411 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2018
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Allbritton, Nancy, Wang, Yuli, Sims, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US15/995,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20180346860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/161 Control and use of surface tension forces, e.g. hydrophobic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00206 Processes for functionalising a surface, e.g. provide the surface with specific mechanical, chemical or biological properties
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/12 Well or multiwell plates C12M25/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/16 Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/20 Degassing; Venting; Bubble traps means for collection or storage of gas C12M23/36; gas collection apparatus for laboratory use B01L5/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/02 involving viable microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"

Abstract

A microfabricated device having at least one gas-entrapping feature formed therein in a configuration that entraps air bubbles upon wetting the feature with a solvent or solution is described. The device includes a sacrificial residue in contact with the gas-entrapping feature, the dissolution of which guides the wetting of the gas-entrapping feature.

Claims

1. A microfabricated device comprising:

a substrate material comprising an array of microwells formed therein, wherein the array of microwells defines at least one gas-entrapping feature that entraps gas bubbles upon wetting said array of microwells with a solvent or solution, and

a sacrificial residue in contact with said at least one gas-entrapping feature, wherein the sacrificial residue is soluble in a solvent or solution,

wherein the sacrificial residue is configured to cause dissolution guided wetting upon contact with the solvent or solution to thereby fill the at least one gas-entrapping feature without entrapping gas bubbles.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said array of microwells defining at least one gas-entrapping feature comprises a well, corner, microcavity, dead end, post, trap, hole, or combination thereof.

3. The device of claim 1, said microwells further comprising a releasable element positioned at the bottom of each of said microwells.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a microfluidic network, having a plurality of regions with said gas-entrapping feature in one or more regions of said microfluidic network.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is comprised of an organic polymer.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate is comprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting of as polymethylmethacrylate (PRIMA), polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polysulfone, polystyrene, polymethylpentene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidine fluoride, acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene copolymer (ABS), polymerized photoresists, and combinations thereof.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the array of microwells of said substrate is oxidized.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said sacrificial residue is dissolvable in an aqueous solution.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said sacrificial residue is comprised of a salt, carbohydrate, or hydrophilic polymer.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said sacrificial residue is comprised of dextran, polyethylene glycol, alginate, agarose, chitosan, glucose, sucrose or sorbitol.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said sacrificial residue is comprised of a non-metabolizable carbohydrate.

12. The device of claim 1, packaged in a water-proof container, and/or packaged in a container with a desiccant.

13. A method of wetting a microfabricated device while inhibiting the entrapment of gas bubbles therein, comprising:

(a) providing a microfabricated device comprising a substrate material comprising an array of microwells formed therein, wherein the array of microwells defines at least one gas-entrapping feature that entraps gas bubbles upon wetting said array of microwells with a solvent or solution, and a sacrificial residue in contact with said at least one gas-entrapping feature;

(b) priming the microfabricated device with a sacrificial residue in contact with said at least one gas-entrapping feature, wherein the sacrificial residue is soluble in a solvent or solution, and

(c) treating said microfabricated device with a solvent or solution sufficient to dissolve said sacrificial residue to cause dissolution guided wetting of the at least one gas-entrapping feature without entrapping gas bubbles.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said solvent or solution comprises a growth media, an assay or reagent media, or a reaction media.