Method and apparatus for entry and storage of specimens into a microfluidic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microfluidic device for assaying a liquid biological sample of 20 μ
- L or less comprising;
(a) an inlet port for receiving said sample;
(b) a capillary passageway in fluid communication with said inlet port;
(c) an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the capillary passageway of (b), thereby permitting said sample to flow into said inlet chamber, said inlet chamber containing means for uniformly distributing said sample across said chamber and, displacing air from said chamber; and
(d) at least one vent passageway for removing air displaced by said liquid sample.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device for analyzing biological samples is provided with a sample inlet section including an inlet port, a capillary passageway communicating with the inlet port and with an inlet chamber. The inlet chamber includes means for uniformly distributing the sample liquid across the inlet chamber and purging the air initially contained therein.
156 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A microfluidic device for assaying a liquid biological sample of 20 μ
- L or less comprising;
(a) an inlet port for receiving said sample;
(b) a capillary passageway in fluid communication with said inlet port;
(c) an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the capillary passageway of (b), thereby permitting said sample to flow into said inlet chamber, said inlet chamber containing means for uniformly distributing said sample across said chamber and, displacing air from said chamber; and
(d) at least one vent passageway for removing air displaced by said liquid sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
- L or less comprising;
-
7. A microfluidic device of claim I wherein said inlet port is tapered to engage the corresponding shape of a pipette for depositing said sample
-
11. A method of supplying liquid to a microfluidic device having an inlet port in fluid communication with an inlet chamber via a capillary passageway, said method comprising.
(a) introducing a portion of said liquid into said inlet port; -
(b) transferring by positive pressure or capillary forces said liquid portion of (a) to said inlet chamber via said capillary passageway;
(c) distributing said liquid portion of (a) uniformly across said inlet chamber and purging air from said chamber completely. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
Specification