Systems and methods for control of pH and other reactor environment conditions
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- permeating a pH-altering agent into a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to chemical, biological, and/or biochemical reactor chips and other reaction systems such as microreactor systems, as well as systems and methods for constructing and using such devices. In one aspect, a chip or other reaction system may be constructed so as to promote cell growth within it. In certain embodiments, the chips or other reaction systems of the invention include one or more reaction sites. The reaction sites can be very small, for example, with a volume of less than about 1 ml. In one aspect of the invention, a chip is able to detect, measure and/or control an environmental factor such as the temperature, pressure, CO2 concentration, O2 concentration, relative humidity, pH, etc. associated with one or more reaction sites, by using one or more sensors, actuators, processors, and/or control systems. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to materials and systems having humidity and/or gas control, for example, for use with a chip. Such materials may have high oxygen permeability and/or low water vapor permeability. The present invention, in still another aspect, generally relates to light-interacting components suitable for use in chips and other reactor systems. These components may include waveguides, optical fibers, light sources, photodetectors, optical elements, and the like.
165 Citations
95 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
permeating a pH-altering agent into a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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providing a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml;
generating an acid or a base proximate the predetermined reaction site; and
contacting the acid or base with a substance within the predetermined reaction site to substantially alter the pH of the substance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method, comprising:
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providing a chip defining at least one compartment, the chip further comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
permeabilizing a component positioned between the predetermined reaction site and the at least one compartment. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus, comprising:
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a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
a component separating the predetermined reaction site from a source of a non-pH-neutral composition. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. An apparatus, comprising:
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a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
a precursor able to react to form a gaseous agent able to substantially alter the pH of a substance within the predetermined reaction site, wherein the chip is arranged to allow gaseous non-liquid transport of the agent to the predetermined reaction site. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. An apparatus, comprising:
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a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
a pH-altering agent dispensing unit integrally connected to the chip in fluid communication with the predetermined reaction site. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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80. An apparatus, comprising:
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a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
a source of gas integrally connected to the chip. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91)
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92. An apparatus, comprising:
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a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml; and
a laser waveguide in optical communication with a surface defining the predetermined reaction site. - View Dependent Claims (93)
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94. A method, comprising:
producing a gas in a chip comprising a predetermined reaction site having a volume of less than about 1 ml by directing a laser at at least a portion of the chip. - View Dependent Claims (95)
Specification