Microfluidic devices for fluid manipulation and analysis
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
- a microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
a filter interposed between the sample inlet and the first end of the microfluidic channel, wherein the filter removes selected particles from the liquid sample;
a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the microfluidic channel; and
a liquid barrier interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of the microfluidic channel, wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods for manipulating and analyzing fluid samples. The disclosed microfluidic devices utilize a plurality of microfluidic channels, inlets, valves, filter, pumps, liquid barriers and other elements arranged in various configurations to manipulate the flow of a fluid sample in order to prepare such sample for analysis.
223 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
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a microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
a filter interposed between the sample inlet and the first end of the microfluidic channel, wherein the filter removes selected particles from the liquid sample;
a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the microfluidic channel; and
a liquid barrier interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of the microfluidic channel, wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
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a first microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
an active valve interposed between the sample inlet and the first end of the first microfluidic channel;
a means for actuating the active valve;
a first bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the first microfluidic channel;
a liquid barrier interposed between the first bellows pump and the second end of the first microfluidic channel, wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable;
a second microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fluidly connected to the first microfluidic channel at a location adjacent to the active valve;
a passive valve interposed between the first end of the second microfluidic channel and the first microfluidic channel, wherein the passive valve is open when the fluid pressure in the first microfluidic channel is greater than the fluid pressure in the second microfluidic channel; and
a sample reservoir fluidly connected to the second end of the second microfluidic channel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
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first and second microfluidic channels, each having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
a first bellows pump fluidly connected to, and interposed between, the second end of the first microfluidic channel and the first end of the second microfluidic channel;
a second bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the second microfluidic channel, wherein the second bellows pump has a fluid outlet;
a first check valve interposed between the sample inlet and the first end of the first microfluidic channel, wherein the first check valve permits fluid flow towards the first microfluidic channel;
a second check valve interposed between the second end of the first microfluidic channel and the first bellows pump, wherein the second check valve permits fluid flow towards the first bellows pump;
a third check valve interposed between the first bellows pump and the first end of the second microfluidic channel, wherein the third check valve permits fluid flow towards the second microfluidic channel; and
a fourth check valve interposed between the second end of the second microfluidic channel and the second bellows pump, wherein the fourth check valve permits fluid flow towards the second bellows pump.
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12. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
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a first microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
a first reagent inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving a first reagent;
a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the first microfluidic channel; and
a first liquid barrier interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of the first microfluidic channel, wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A microfluidic device for analyzing a liquid sample, comprising:
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a first microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end;
a sample inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel for receiving the liquid sample;
a first dried reagent zone, comprising a first reagent printed thereon, fluidly connected to the first end of the first microfluidic channel;
a bellows pump fluidly connected to the second end of the first microfluidic channel; and
a first liquid barrier interposed between the bellows pump and the second end of the first microfluidic channel, wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification