Microfluidic methods and apparatuses for sample preparation and analysis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microfluidic apparatus comprising:
- a microchannel having opposed walls, an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the microchannel constructed and arranged to transport fluid sample from the upstream portion toward the downstream portion;
a plurality of sample introduction ports that each provide a fluid sample to the microchannel such that the fluid sample from each of the plurality of sample introduction ports flows toward the downstream portion from the upstream portion; and
at least one sheathing fluid introduction port positioned to provide a sheathing fluid to the microchannel such that the sheathing fluid from each sheathing fluid introduction port separates two of the plurality of fluid samples from one another as the fluid samples move toward the downstream portion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Microfludic channels are constructed for use in preparing and/or analyzing samples. In one embodiment, a microchannel delivers multiple fluid samples from an upstream portion to a downstream portion of the channel where each of the fluid samples are separated from one another by a sheathing fluid that also travels toward the downstream portion. In another embodiment, a microchannel is constructed to create multiple elongational flows in series that can align polymers from a coiled state.
118 Citations
82 Claims
-
1. A microfluidic apparatus comprising:
-
a microchannel having opposed walls, an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the microchannel constructed and arranged to transport fluid sample from the upstream portion toward the downstream portion;
a plurality of sample introduction ports that each provide a fluid sample to the microchannel such that the fluid sample from each of the plurality of sample introduction ports flows toward the downstream portion from the upstream portion; and
at least one sheathing fluid introduction port positioned to provide a sheathing fluid to the microchannel such that the sheathing fluid from each sheathing fluid introduction port separates two of the plurality of fluid samples from one another as the fluid samples move toward the downstream portion.
-
-
2-23. -23. (canceled)
-
24. A method of moving polymers through a microchannel, the method comprising:
-
providing a microchannel having an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and opposed walls that extend therebetween, the microchannel constructed and arranged to transport fluid sample from the upstream portion toward the downstream portion;
providing a plurality of fluid samples and at least one sheathing fluid to the microchannel;
flowing the plurality of fluid samples in the microchannel toward the downstream portion; and
flowing the at least one sheathing fluid in the microchannel toward the downstream portion such that each of the at least one sheathing fluid separates two of the plurality of fluid samples from one another as the fluid samples move toward the downstream portion. - View Dependent Claims (25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 38, 40)
-
-
26. (canceled)
-
32-34. -34. (canceled)
-
37. (canceled)
-
39. (canceled)
-
41-48. -48. (canceled)
-
49. An apparatus for manipulating a polymer in fluid, the apparatus comprising:
-
a microchannel having opposed walls, an upstream portion, and a downstream portion, the microchannel constructed and arranged to transport a carrier fluid such that, when present in the carrier fluid, the polymer flows from the upstream portion toward the downstream portion;
a first constriction adapted to create a first elongational flow for manipulating the polymer within the carrier fluid as the carrier fluid moves toward the downstream portion;
a second constriction adapted to create a second elongational flow for manipulating the polymer within the carrier fluid as the carrier fluid moves toward the downstream portion, the second elongational flow positioned downstream from and separated from the first elongational flow.
-
-
50-68. -68. (canceled)
-
69. A method of manipulating a polymer in a carrier fluid, the method comprising:
-
providing a microchannel adapted to deliver a polymer carrier fluid, such that when the polymer is present in the carrier fluid, the polymer flows from an upstream portion toward a downstream portion of the microchannel;
providing the polymer carrier fluid containing the polymer to the microchannel;
subjecting the polymer in the carrier fluid to a first elongational flow as the carrier fluid moves toward the downstream portion; and
subjecting the polymer in the carrier fluid to a second elongational flow as the carrier fluid moves toward the downstream portion, the second elongational flow being downstream from and separated from the first elongational flow. - View Dependent Claims (70, 73, 76, 78, 79, 81)
-
-
71-72. -72. (canceled)
-
74-75. -75. (canceled)
-
77. (canceled)
-
80. (canceled)
-
82-88. -88. (canceled)
Specification