Vented microfluidic separation devices and methods

• US 20050032238A1
• Filed: 08/25/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
• Inventors: Gamble, Ronald C., Karp, Christoph D.
• Application Number:
  US10/927,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20050032238A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/177
• 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 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502723 characterised by venting arrangements
• 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 3/502753 characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation separation in general B01D; microapparatus for analysis using electrophoresis G01N27/44791; sample preparation G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/565 slurry packing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/16 Injection G01N30/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/466 with separation columns in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/603 retaining the stationary phase, e.g. Frits
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

A pressure-driven microfluidic device for separating chemical or biological species from a sample provides an on-board stationary phase packing manifold or distribution network for simultaneously packing multiple separation channels. The packing manifold or distribution may include both a stationary phase inlet port and a vent port, and the vent port may include an associated porous material or frit. Methods for operating pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices include the steps of venting the packing manifold to an environment having a lower pressure than that present in the separation columns to allow any retained sample portions to migrate away from the separation channels, thereby minimizing or eliminating cross-talk and sample contamination.

Claims

1. An analytical device comprising:

a plurality of parallel separation columns;

a stationary phase distribution network in fluid communication with the plurality of separation columns;

a first fluidic port in fluid communication with the distribution network;

a second fluidic port in fluid communication with the distribution network; and

a frit positioned between and in fluid communication with the second fluidic port and the distribution network.

2. The analytical device of claim 1 wherein the first fluidic port is substantially sealed.

3. The analytical device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of device layers.

4. The analytical device of claim 3 wherein any device layer of the plurality of device layers comprises a substantially metal-free polymeric material.

5. The analytical device of claim 3 wherein any device layer of the plurality of device layers comprises a stencil layer.

6. The analytical device of claim 1 wherein any separation column of the plurality of separation columns is microfluidic.

7. The analytical device of claim 1 wherein the stationary phase distribution network is microfluidic.

8. The analytical device of claim 1, further comprising a stationary phase material contained within each separation column of the plurality of separation columns.

9. The analytical device of claim 7 wherein the stationary phase material comprises packed particulate material.

10. The analytical device of claim 7 wherein the stationary phase material comprises a microporous monolith.

11. A method for performing a plurality of separations in parallel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an analytical device having;

a plurality of parallel separation columns;

a stationary phase distribution network in fluid communication with the plurality of separation columns; and

a first common fluidic port in fluid communication with the stationary phase distribution network;

supplying a plurality of samples to the plurality of separation columns;

supplying liquid mobile phase to the plurality of separation columns at a first pressure; and

venting the common fluidic port to an environment having a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the second pressure is at least about fifty pounds per square inch less than the first pressure.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the second pressure is at least about two hundred fifty pounds per square inch less than the first pressure.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of varying the first pressure over time.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of varying the composition of the liquid mobile phase over time.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein:

each separation column of the plurality of separation columns has first end, a second end, and an associated sample inlet port disposed between the first end and the second end; and

the sample supplying step includes providing a different sample of the plurality of samples to each separation column of the plurality of separation columns via its associated sample inlet port.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

wetting the plurality of parallel separation columns; and

de-pressurizing the plurality of parallel separation columns prior to the sample supplying step.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the analytical device comprises a microfluidic device.

19. A method for performing a plurality of separations in parallel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an analytical device having;

a plurality of parallel separation columns, each separation column of the plurality of separation columns having an associated fluidic inlet port and an associated fluidic outlet port;

a stationary phase distribution network in fluid communication with the plurality of separation columns;

a first common fluidic port in fluid communication with the stationary phase distribution network;

a second common fluidic port in fluid communication with the stationary phase distribution network; and

a frit disposed between and in fluid communication with the second common fluidic port and the stationary phase distribution network;

sealing the first common fluidic port;

supplying a plurality of samples to the plurality of separation columns;

supplying liquid mobile phase to the plurality of separation columns at a first pressure; and

venting the second common fluidic port to an environment having a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the second pressure is at least about fifty pounds per square inch less than the first pressure.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the second pressure is at least about two hundred fifty pounds per square inch less than the first pressure.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of varying the first pressure over time.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of varying the composition of the liquid mobile phase over time.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein:

each separation column of the plurality of separation columns has first end, a second end, and an associated sample inlet port disposed between the first end and the second end; and

the sample supplying step includes providing a different sample of the plurality of samples to each separation column of the plurality of separation columns via its associated sample inlet port.

25. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

wetting the plurality of parallel separation columns; and

de-pressurizing the plurality of parallel separation columns prior to the sample supplying step.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the analytical device comprises a microfluidic device.