Microfluidic Methods, Devices, and Systems for Fluid Handling
First Claim
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1. A system for splitting a plurality of liquids and producing a desired volume of liquid comprising:
- a housing comprising a liquid cavity;
the liquid cavity, comprising a plurality of inlet channels comprising a plurality of inlets;
at least one common channel, wherein the plurality of inlet channels are fluidly connected at the common channel;
a plurality of measuremetric channels comprising a plurality of valve mechanisms and a plurality of gates, wherein a liquid is introduced into the plurality of measuremetric channels with a pressurized gas;
a computer such that a controlling device is attached to the computer, wherein the controlling device controls the valve mechanisms and gates such that the liquid is split into the plurality of measuremetric channels and the desired volume of liquid is produced.
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Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, systems methods, and devices are provided for handling liquid. In some embodiments, such systems, methods, and devices are used to process reagent biochemical reactions.
113 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for splitting a plurality of liquids and producing a desired volume of liquid comprising:
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a housing comprising a liquid cavity;
the liquid cavity, comprising a plurality of inlet channels comprising a plurality of inlets;
at least one common channel, wherein the plurality of inlet channels are fluidly connected at the common channel;
a plurality of measuremetric channels comprising a plurality of valve mechanisms and a plurality of gates, wherein a liquid is introduced into the plurality of measuremetric channels with a pressurized gas;
a computer such that a controlling device is attached to the computer, wherein the controlling device controls the valve mechanisms and gates such that the liquid is split into the plurality of measuremetric channels and the desired volume of liquid is produced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for controlling liquids comprising;
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a gas permeable fluid barrier comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface exposed to an air cavity;
a valve, wherein the valve permits air to flow out of the air cavity; and
a housing comprising a mounting surface, the air cavity, and a liquid cavity, the liquid cavity, comprising an inlet port constructed to permit air flow into said air cavity through said inlet port, wherein the second surface of the gas permeable fluid barrier is sealably mounted with respect to the mounting surface whereby the valve is located inside the air cavity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling liquids comprising;
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providing a gas permeable fluid barrier comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface exposed to an air cavity;
providing a valve, wherein the valve permits air to flow out of the air cavity;
sealably mounting the second surface of the gas permeable fluid barrier to a housing comprising a mounting surface, the air cavity, and a liquid cavity, the liquid cavity comprising an inlet port constructed to permit air flow into said air cavity through said inlet port, wherein the sealably mounting process assist in preventing a liquid to pass through the gas permeable fluid barrier; and
introducing the liquid inside the liquid cavity and stopping the liquid at a desired location by controlling the valves. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling liquids comprising:
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a plurality of devices comprising a first device and a second device, the first device comprising an outlet port and the second device comprising an inlet port;
a gasket comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface is flat around the inlet port to assure a liquid tight seal when mated to the second device;
a housing comprising an alignment and a clamping mechanism to align and clamp the first device and second device together, wherein the compression of the gasket permits liquid to flow from the first device to the second device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing a plurality of predetermined volumes of a liquid, the method comprising:
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providing a volume of a liquid to a channel, the channel being directly or indirectly connected to a plurality of channels, the plurality of channel being coupled to a plurality of valves, each of the plurality of channels including a plurality of channel segments, a first segment of the plurality of channel segments is capable of being connected to or disconnected from a second segment of the plurality channel segments in response to at least one of the plurality of valves, receiving information associated with a plurality of predetermined volumes for the liquid corresponding to the plurality of channels respectively;
processing information associated with the plurality of predetermined volumes for the liquid;
selecting one valve from the plurality of valves based on at least information associated with the plurality of predetermined volumes;
opening the selected valves;
transporting the liquid through the plurality of channels up to the opened valve. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification