Systems and methods for thermal actuation of microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A microfluidic system for processing microfluidic samples, comprising:
- a substrate defining a microfluidic network comprising at least one thermally actuated valve and at least one thermally actuated pump configured to manipulate microfluidic samples within the device;
a plurality N of independently controllable heat sources, each heat source having at least two terminals, at least one of the heat sources is configured to actuate the at least one valve, at least one heat source is configured to actuate the at least one pump;
a plurality of input/output contacts for electrically connecting the terminals of the heat sources to a controller, wherein the number of contacts required to independently control the N heat sources is substantially less than the total number of terminals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic processing device includes a substrate defining a microfluidic network. The substrate is in thermal communication with a plurality of N independently controllable components and a plurality of input output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller. Each component has at least two terminals. Each terminal is in electrical communication with at least one contact. The number of contacts required to independently control the N components is substantially less than the total number of terminals. Upon actuation, the components typically heat a portion of the microfluidic network and/or sense a temperature thereof.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A microfluidic system for processing microfluidic samples, comprising:
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a substrate defining a microfluidic network comprising at least one thermally actuated valve and at least one thermally actuated pump configured to manipulate microfluidic samples within the device;
a plurality N of independently controllable heat sources, each heat source having at least two terminals, at least one of the heat sources is configured to actuate the at least one valve, at least one heat source is configured to actuate the at least one pump;
a plurality of input/output contacts for electrically connecting the terminals of the heat sources to a controller, wherein the number of contacts required to independently control the N heat sources is substantially less than the total number of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for fabricating a microfluidic processing system comprising:
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providing a substrate having a plurality of heat sources each having at least two terminals; and
providing a plurality of input/output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller; and
providing a plurality of leads for connecting the contacts to the terminals, whereby the number of contacts required to independently control the N heat sources is substantially less than the total number of terminals, and wherein the controller can thereby control each the heat source independently of each other component. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a substrate defining a microfluidic network comprising at least one of each of a thermally actuated valve, a thermally actuated pump, and a thermally actuated reaction chamber;
a plurality of heat sources, each heat source being in thermal communication with a respective one of the valve, pump, and reaction chamber; and
a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein each contact is in electrical communication with at least two different heat sources, each heat source is in electrical communication with at least a pair of contacts, and no heat source of at least a subset of the heat sources is in electrical communication with the same pair of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer-readable medium comprising executable software code, the code for operating a system, the system comprising:
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a. a microfluidic device comprising a channel configured to receive a fluidic sample;
b. an electrical pathway comprising a resistive element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the resistive element having a temperature-dependent resistance;
c. an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway; and
d. an electrical measurement device configured to obtain data indicative of an electrical characteristic of the resistive element;
the computer-readable medium comprising;
e. code to provide a first actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a first electrical current flows through the resistive element;
f. code to provide a second actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a second, lower electrical current flows through the resistive element; and
g. code to receive data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the resistive element from the electrical measurement device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for monitoring a temperature of material present within a channel of a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
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a. providing a microfluidic system, the system comprising a microfluidic device comprising;
i. a channel;
ii. an electrical pathway comprising a resistive element in thermal communication with the channel;
b. introducing liquid into the channel;
c. causing a first electrical current to flow through the electrical pathway by applying a first electrical potential across the resistive element;
d. causing a second, selected and lower, electrical current to flow through the electrical pathway by applying a second electrical potential across the resistive element; and
e. determining a temperature of the liquid based upon the second electrical potential required to cause the second electrical current to flow through the electrical pathway.
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25. A method for monitoring a temperature of a thermally actuated valve of a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
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a. providing a microfluidic system, the microfluidic system comprising a microfluidic device comprising;
i. a channel having an upstream portion and a downstream portion;
ii. a valve comprising a closed state and an open state, wherein, upon changing a temperature of at least a first portion of the valve, the valve transitions from one of the closed or open states to the other state, and wherein, when in the closed state, the valve obstructs passage between the upstream and downstream portions of the channel; and
iii. the system further comprising an electrical pathway comprising a resistive element in thermal communication with the first portion of the valve;
b. applying a first electrical potential to the pathway;
c. applying a second, lower, potential to the electrical pathway; and
d. determining a temperature of the first portion of the valve based upon a current that flows through the electrical pathway when the second potential is applied.
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26. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising at least two spaced-apart thermally actuated components; and
a resistive heat source configured to simultaneously actuate the at least two thermally actuated components upon the passage of current through the heat source. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification