Methods and systems for control of microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the operation of a digital-type microfluidic (“
- MF”
) device (i) wherein an MF device comprises one or more passages for confining one or more micro-droplets, the passages having one or more stable positions for the micro-droplets, and (ii) comprises one or more internal components responsive to control signals, the internal components operatively associated with the passages for control and monitoring the MF device, the method comprising;
(a) providing one or more micro-droplet processing requests, wherein a micro-droplet processing request specifies performing at least one action on at least one micro-droplet, the requests comprising either (i) creating one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (ii) moving one or more micro-droplets from current stable positions to selected next stable positions, or (iii) combining two or more micro-droplets into one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (iv) mixing one or more micro-droplets, and (b) generating control signals, which are provided to the MF device, wherein the control signals are generated in a pattern and sequence that is responsive to each micro-droplet processing request so that the internal components of the MF device that are responsive to the control signals function together to perform the requested micro-droplet processing in the MF device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the operation of a digital-type microfluidic (“
- MF”
) device (i) wherein an MF device comprises one or more passages for confining one or more micro-droplets, the passages having one or more stable positions for the micro-droplets, and (ii) comprises one or more internal components responsive to control signals, the internal components operatively associated with the passages for control and monitoring the MF device, the method comprising;
(a) providing one or more micro-droplet processing requests, wherein a micro-droplet processing request specifies performing at least one action on at least one micro-droplet, the requests comprising either (i) creating one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (ii) moving one or more micro-droplets from current stable positions to selected next stable positions, or (iii) combining two or more micro-droplets into one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (iv) mixing one or more micro-droplets, and (b) generating control signals, which are provided to the MF device, wherein the control signals are generated in a pattern and sequence that is responsive to each micro-droplet processing request so that the internal components of the MF device that are responsive to the control signals function together to perform the requested micro-droplet processing in the MF device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- MF”
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7. A method for performing a chemical reaction in a digital-type microfluidic (“
- MF”
) device (i) wherein an MF device comprises one or more passages for confining one or more micro-droplets, the passages having one or more stable positions for the micro-droplets, and (ii) comprises one or more internal components responsive to control signals, the internal components operatively associated with the passages for control and monitoring the MF device, the method comprising;
(a) providing one or more fluid reagents, wherein the fluid reagents comprise the reactants necessary for the reaction, (b) creating at least one final micro-droplet from the fluid reagents by providing control signals to the MF device, wherein the micro-droplet is positioned at a stable position and comprises the reactants necessary for the reaction, and (c) reacting the micro-droplet. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- MF”
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11. A data acquisition (“
- DAQ”
)) system for controlling the operation of a digital-type microfluidic (“
MF”
) device (i) wherein an MF device comprises one or more passages for confining one or more micro-droplets, the passages having one or more stable positions for the micro-droplets, and (ii) comprises one or more internal components responsive to control signals, the internal components operatively associated with the passages for control and monitoring the MF device, the system comprising;
(a) programmable digital control circuitry, wherein the digital control circuitry provides control signals to an MF device that is interfaced to the digital control circuitry, and (b) memory accessible to the programmable digital control circuitry comprising stored instructions and data representing one or more micro-droplet processing requests, wherein a micro-droplet processing request specifies performing at least one action on at least one micro-droplet, the requests comprising either (i) creating one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (ii) moving one or more micro-droplets from current stable positions to selected next stable positions, or (iii) combining two or more micro-droplets into one or more new micro-droplets at selected stable positions, or (iv) mixing one or more micro-droplets, wherein execution of the instructions and data causes the programmable control circuitry to generate control signals in a pattern and sequence so that the responsive internal components of an interfaced MF device function together to perform the micro-droplet processing requests in the MF device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- DAQ”
Specification