Microfluidic system and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a main flow path comprising a detection zone and an outlet; and
at least two inlet flow paths wherein the inlet flow paths intersect and merge into the main flow path at or upstream of the detection zone at an upstream angle of less than 90°
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Abstract
This invention relates to a novel microfluidic device and methods of using this device to conduct in vitro studies on the reaction and effects of various compounds on cells. More particularly, it relates to a method for using stop flow in a microfluidic system to study the effect of compounds on individual cells.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a main flow path comprising a detection zone and an outlet; and
at least two inlet flow paths wherein the inlet flow paths intersect and merge into the main flow path at or upstream of the detection zone at an upstream angle of less than 90°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 32, 33, 34)
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16. A method of observing the effect of a candidate compound on cells in a microfluidic device comprising:
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(a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a main flow path comprising a detection zone, and an outlet and at least two inlet flow paths intersecting and merging with the main flow path at or upstream of the detection zone;
(b) applying at least one cell to a first inlet flow path and the candidate compound to a second inlet flow path;
(c) inducing flow of the cells and the candidate compound toward the outlet;
(d) allowing the cells to mix with the candidate compound at the intersection of the second inlet flow path and the main flow path; and
(f) observing the effect of the candidate compound on the cells in the detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for studying calcium influx in a lymphocyte comprising:
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(a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a main flow path having a detection zone, at least two inlet flow paths sequentially intersecting with the main flow path upstream of the detection zone and an outlet downstream from the detection zone;
(b) applying lymphocytes to a first inlet flow path and an activator to a second inlet flow path;
(c) inducing flow of the lymphocytes and the activator toward the outlet;
(d) allowing the lymphocytes to mix with the activator at the intersection of the second inlet flow path and the main flow path; and
(e) observing the effect of the activator on the lymphocytes in the detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method for studying leukocyte rolling comprising:
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(a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a main flow path comprising a detection zone and an outlet and at least two inlet flow paths sequentially intersecting and merging with the main flow path at or upstream of the detection zone and wherein the walls of the main flow path in the detection zone have attached thereto cell adhesion molecules;
(b) applying at least one leukocyte to a first inlet flow path;
(c) applying a candidate compound to a second inlet flow path;
(d) inducing flow of the cells and the compound into the main flow path;
(d) allowing the leukocytes, candidate compound and cell adhesion molecules to interact; and
(e) observing the leukocyte rolling in the detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification