Systems and methods for improved performance of fluidic and microfluidic systems

• US 10,407,655 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2017
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College (Harvard Corporation)
• Original Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College (Harvard Corporation)
• Inventors: Hinojosa, Christopher David, Sliz, Josiah, Levner, Daniel, Thompson, Guy, Geisler, Hubert, Fernandez-Alcon, Jose, Ingber, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wecker, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US15/403,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20170121659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/14 Means for pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/084 Passive control of flow resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• 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 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/08 for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/16 Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; microreactors B01J19/0093
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/12 by pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/08 : Chemical, biochemical or biological means, e.g. plasma jet, co-culture
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/00 : Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/40 : of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/46 : of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5005 : involving human or animal cells immunoassay G01N33/56966; immunoassays of protozoa G01N33/56905; protozoa in screening assays C12Q1/025

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Claims

1. A microfluidic system, comprising:

a microfluidic device having a first microchannel;

a fluid reservoir comprising a working fluid and being disposed outside of the microfluidic device;

a fluid line coupled to the fluid reservoir for delivering the working fluid to or from the microfluidic device; and

a fluid-resistance element removably coupled to the microfluidic device,

the fluid-resistance element having a first fluidic resistance that is about 10-50,000 times greater than a second fluidic resistance associated with the microfluidic device, and wherein said fluid-resistance element comprises a substrate having an elongated fluid path.

2. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein said fluid-resistance element is attached to a cartridge.

3. The microfluidic system of claim 2, wherein said fluid-resistance element is removably attached to said cartridge.

4. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein said substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises an elongated tube forming the elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

5. The microfluidic system of claim 4, wherein the elongated tube undergoes multiple windings so as to create said elongated fluid path.

10. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the fluid-resistance element is a channeled fluid-resistance element.

11. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the fluid-resistance element is a tubular fluid-resistance element.

12. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the fluid-resistance element is an internal fluid-resistance element.

13. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the fluid-resistance element is separate from the microfluidic device.

14. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of media, suspensions of cells, particulates, proteins, chemicals, contaminant, pollutant, pharmaceutical and combinations thereof.

6. A microfluidic system, comprising:

a cartridge comprising a fluid-resistance element, the cartridge configured to removably receive a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, the fluid-resistance element having a first fluidic resistance that is about 10-50,000 times greater than a second fluidic resistance associated with the microfluidic device, and wherein said fluid-resistance element comprises a substrate having an elongated fluid path;

a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas and being disposed outside of the microfluidic device;

a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas; and

a fluid path disposed between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel.

7. The microfluidic system of claim 6, wherein said fluid-resistance element is removably attached to said cartridge.

8. The microfluidic system of claim 6, wherein said substrate of said fluid-resistance element comprises an elongated tube forming the elongated fluid path, the first fluidic resistance being created by the elongated fluid path.

9. The microfluidic system of claim 8, wherein the elongated tube undergoes multiple windings so as to create said elongated fluid path.

15. The microfluidic system of claim 6, wherein the working fluid comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of media, suspensions of cells, particulates, proteins, chemicals, contaminant, pollutant, pharmaceutical and combinations thereof.

16. A microfluidic system, comprising:

a cartridge comprising a fluid-resistance element, the cartridge configured to removably receive a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, the fluid-resistance element having a first fluidic resistance that is at least about 10 times greater than a second fluidic resistance associated with the microfluidic device, and wherein said fluid-resistance element comprises a substrate having an elongated fluid path;

a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas and being disposed outside of the microfluidic device;

a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas; and

a fluid path disposed between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel.

17. The microfluidic system of claim 16, wherein the fluid-resistance element is a tubular fluid-resistance element.