Microfluidic devices for introducing and dispensing fluids from microfluidic systems

• US 20050224351A1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Inventors: Fernandes, Dave, Yi, Yong, Manger, Ian D., Unger, Marc A., Chou, Hou-Pu
• Application Number:
  US11/144,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20050224351A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/450
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/02 Burettes; Pipettes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• 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 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• 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 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/006 Diffusion joining measures for intermixing the material of the joint interlayer B29C66/341
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 : Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 : Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 : comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 : comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1226 : comprising at least one bevelled joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/532 : Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/54 : Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/00 : Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/756 : Microarticles, nanoarticles
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/13 : Mechanical connectors, i.e. not functioning as an electrical connector
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0074 : using photolithography, e.g. etching
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 : Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 : Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0015 : Diaphragm or membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0017 : Capillary or surface tension valves, e.g. using electro-wetting or electro-capillarity effects
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0048 : using piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0051 : using electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0059 : actuated by a pilot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 : Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 : Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 : with formation of a segmented stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 : with aspirator of claimed structure

Abstract

The present invention provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for using the same, which facilitate the introduction of fluid to and from a microfluidic channel located within the microfluidic devices.

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A method for producing a microfluidic fluid sampling device, said method comprising:

producing a first elastomeric layer comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and an orifice;

producing a second elastomeric layer comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a microscale recess disposed on the bottom surface;

attaching the bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer on to the top surface of the second elastomeric layer;

creating an orifice on the second elastomeric layer such that the orifice on the first elastomeric layer becomes operatively connected to and in fluid communication with the microscale recess located on the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; and

attaching a base layer to the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer, thereby forming a microfluidic channel from the microscale recess, wherein the microfluidic channel is disposed within the interface of the second elastomeric layer and the base layer.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the base layer comprises an orifice such that when the base layer is attached to the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer the orifice on the base layer is in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel that is formed on the interface of the second elastomeric layer and the base layer.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising attaching a capillary element, which comprises a capillary channel disposed therethrough, to the microfluidic device by inserting the capillary element into the orifice on the first elastomeric layer or the bottom layer such that the capillary channel is in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the first elastomeric layer comprises a second orifice, and said method further comprising creating a second orifice on the second elastomeric layer prior to attaching the base layer to the second elastomeric layer, such that the second orifice on the first elastomeric layer becomes operatively connected to and in fluid communication with the microscale recess located on the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising attaching a capillary element, which comprises a capillary channel disposed therethrough, to the microfluidic device by inserting the capillary element into one of the orifices on the first elastomeric layer such that the capillary channel is in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the first elastomeric layer further comprises a microscale recess on the bottom surface such that when the bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer is attached to the top surface of the second elastomeric layer, the microscale recess on the bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer forms a control channel disposed within the interface of the first elastomeric layer and the second elastomeric layer.