Microfluidic channel network device

• US 20030175990A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Revvity Health Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Micronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hayenga, Jon W., Weigl, Bernhard H., Morris, Christopher J., Bardell, Ronald L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,223,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0636 Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 with formation of a segmented stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Described herein is microfluidic device for joining fluids and a related method for doing the same. The device according to the present invention includes a microfluidic junction, an outlet channel, and a plurality of circuit units. A microfluidic junction is an area for converging multiple fluids. An outlet channel is capable of receiving fluid from the microfluidic junction. An outlet channel includes a first end connected with the microfluidic junction, a second end connected with a waste reservoir, and an analysis region positioned between the first end and the second end of the outlet channel. The device also includes a plurality of circuit units. Each circuit unit includes a source channel with a first end capable of receiving sample fluid and a second end connected with the microfluidic junction; a branch channel connected with the source channel at an intersection; and a flow diversion system capable of differentially directing fluid flowing through a source channel either into the microfluidic junction or into a branch channel.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device for joining fluids, comprising:

a. a microfluidic junction;

b. an outlet channel capable of receiving fluid from the microfluidic junction, said outlet channel comprising a first end connected with the microfluidic junction, a second end connected with a waste reservoir, and an analysis region positioned between said first end and said second end of the outlet channel; and

c. a plurality of circuit units, each circuit unit comprising;

i. a source channel with a first end capable of receiving sample fluid and a second end connected with the microfluidic junction;

ii. a branch channel connected with the source channel at an intersection;

iii. a flow diversion system capable of differentially directing fluid flowing through a source channel either into the microfluidic junction or into a branch channel.

2. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein said microfluidic junction comprises:

a. a chamber connected with said outlet channel; and

b. a plurality of inlets positioned along the chamber and capable of allowing fluid to enter the chamber without obstructing neighboring inlets, each of said inlets being separated from a neighboring inlet by an intermediary region.

3. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of each inlet increases as progressing toward the center of said chamber.

4. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein each said intermediary region is uniformly convex.

5. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein each intermediary region comprises two linear surfaces which meet to form an edge.

6. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein a hydrophobic material is deposited along at least one intermediary region.

7. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein a hydrophilic material is deposited along at least one intermediary region.

8. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valved circuit unit comprising a first valve positioned along a branch channel of said valved circuit unit and a second valve positioned along a source channel of said valved circuit unit, said first and second valves being located at, near or proximate to the intersection of said branch channel and said source channel.

9. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valved circuit unit comprising a first valve positioned along a branch channel of said valved circuit unit and a second valve positioned along a source channel of said valved circuit unit, said first and second valves being located at, near or proximate to the intersection of said branch channel and said source channel.

10. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valveless circuit unit comprising a valveless liquid microswitch.

11. The microfluidic device of claim 2, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valveless circuit unit comprising a valveless liquid microswitch.

12. A microfluidic device for joining fluids, comprising:

a. a microfluidic junction comprising;

i. a chamber connected with said outlet channel; and

ii. a plurality of inlets positioned along the chamber and capable of allowing fluid to enter the chamber without obstructing neighboring inlets, each of said inlets being separated from a neighboring inlet by an intermediary region;

b. an outlet channel capable of receiving fluid from the microfluidic junction, said outlet channel comprising a first end connected with the microfluidic junction, a second end connected with a waste reservoir, and an analysis region positioned between said first end and said second end of the outlet channel; and

c. a plurality of circuit units, each circuit unit comprising;

i. a source channel with a first end capable of receiving sample fluid and a second end connected with the microfluidic junction;

ii. a branch channel connected with the source channel at an intersection; and

iii. a flow diversion system capable of differentially directing fluid flowing through a source channel either into the microfluidic junction or into a branch channel.

13. The microfluidic device of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of fluid ports for respectively introducing fluid into source channels of said plurality of circuit units, with at least one of said fluid ports being a syringe filled fluid port.

14. The microfluidic device of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of fluid ports for respectively introducing fluid into source channels of said plurality of circuit units, with at least one of said fluid ports being a pipette injection port.

15. The microfluidic device of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of fluid ports for respectively introducing fluid into source channels of said plurality of circuit units, with at least one of said fluid ports being a pipette well filled by pipette injection.

16. The microfluidic device of claim 13, further comprising at least one valve positioned along a source channel, said valve being located between the microfluidic junction and a fluid port.

17. The microfluidic device of claim 14, further comprising at least one valve positioned along a source channel, said valve being located between the microfluidic junction and a fluid port.

18. The microfluidic device of claim 15, further comprising at least one to valve positioned along a source channel, said valve being located between the microfluidic junction and a fluid port.

19. The microfluidic device of claim 12, wherein said microfluidic junction, outlet channel and plurality of circuit units are contained within a plurality of laminate layers.

20. A method of joining and analyzing fluids, comprising:

a. providing a microfluidic device, comprising;

i. a microfluidic junction;

ii. an outlet channel capable of receiving fluid from the microfluidic junction, said outlet channel comprising a first end connected with the microfluidic junction, a second end connected with a waste reservoir, and an analysis region positioned between said first end and said second end of the outlet channel;

iii. a plurality of circuit units, each circuit unit comprising;

1. a source channel with a first end capable of receiving sample fluid and a second end connected with the microfluidic junction; and

2. a branch channel connected with the source channel at an intersection;

3. a flow diversion system capable of differentially directing fluid flowing through a source channel either into the microfluidic junction or into a branch channel;

b. introducing fluids into the respective source channels of circuit units of the microfluidic device;

c. flowing fluids into the microfluidic junction of the device; and

d. flowing fluids through the outlet channel of the microfluidic device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the microfluidic junction of said device comprises:

a. a chamber connected with said outlet channel; and

b. a plurality of inlets positioned along the chamber and capable of allowing fluid to enter the chamber without obstructing neighboring inlets, each of said inlets being separated from a neighboring inlet by an intermediary region.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the cross-sectional area of each said inlet increases as progressing toward the center of said chamber.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein each said intermediary region is uniformly convex.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein each intermediary region comprises two linear surfaces which meet to form an edge.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein a hydrophobic material is deposited along at least one intermediary region.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein a hydrophilic material is deposited along at least one intermediary region.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valved circuit unit comprising a first valve positioned along a branch channel of said valved circuit unit and a second valve positioned along a source channel of said valved circuit unit, said first and second valves being located at, near or proximate to the intersection of said branch channel and said source channel.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valved circuit unit comprising a first valve positioned along a branch channel of said valved circuit unit and a second valve positioned along a source channel of said valved circuit unit, said first and second valves being located at, near or proximate to the intersection of said branch channel and said source channel.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valveless circuit unit comprising a valveless liquid microswitch.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one circuit unit is a valveless circuit unit comprising a valveless liquid microswitch.