Device for Manipulation of Packets in Micro-Containers, in Particular in Microchannels
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a microfluidic device (1) for performing physical, chemical or biological treatment to at least one packet without contamination.
176 Citations
90 Claims
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1-53. -53. (canceled)
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54. A microfluidic device for deforming, at least one packet or displacing at least two packets towards each other, said device comprising:
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a microchannel having an axis, at least one of;
a generator unit, and an electrode assembly coupled to the generator unit and configured for creating inside at least one portion of the microchannel an electric field which is substantially collinear to the axis of the microchannel, wherein the generator unit is capable of generating the electric field with such an amplitude and frequency that the electric field causes the at least one packet to deform, or the at least two packets to displace towards each other in the microchannel, at least one side channel with a first end in connection with a portion of said microchannel and a second end in connection with a delivery system suitable for delivering a solution able to alter the interfacial tension between the at least two packets or the at least one packet and the environment thereof, said delivery system being configured to deliver said solution into said portion of the microchannel at least during the passage of the at least two packets or at least packet in the portion of the microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 86, 89, 90)
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69. A method for performing at least one operation on at least one packet in a micro-container wherein the micro-container has an inner tubular hydrophobic surface, wherein the micro-container is at least partially filled with a carrier fluid immiscible with said packet and containing at least one surfactant at a concentration large enough to decrease the surface tension between the packet and the fluid.
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70. A method for performing at least one operation on at least one packet in a micro-container, wherein the micro-container has at least one tubular portion defining an internal space of the micro-container, wherein:
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the tubular portion is made of a non internally coated bulk fluorinated material, or the tubular portion is made of a bulk non-fluorinated material coated on all a circumference of an internal surface of the tubular portion with a permanent layer, and wherein the micro-container is at least partially filled with a carrier fluid immiscible with said packet and containing at least one surfactant at a concentration large enough to decrease the surface tension between said packet and said carrier fluid. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 87, 88)
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- 75. A method for performing at least one operation on at least one packet in a micro-container, the micro-container having an inner surface, wherein the micro-container is filled with a carrier fluid immiscible with the at least one packet and contains at least one surfactant, wherein a difference between an interfacial tension between the packet and an inner surface of the micro-container and an interfacial tension between the at least one packet and the carrier fluid is at least 26 mN/m.
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80. A device for performing at least one chemical, physical or biological operation on at least one packet embedded in a carrier fluid immiscible with the at least one packet, the device comprising at least one micro-container surrounding the carrier fluid containing the packet, wherein an inner surface of the micro-container is fluorinated, and the carrier fluid contains a surfactant at a ratio concentration at least 0.1 cmc (critical micellar concentration).
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81. A microfluidic device comprising a micro-container, the device comprising a tubular bulk hydrophobic portion forming an internal space of the micro-container, wherein the tubular portion is coated with a hydrophobic layer.
- 82. A connector allowing contamination free transport of at least one packet from at least one microchannel towards another microchannel, the connector comprising a bulk material having on all an inner surface an hydrophobic layer, the layer comprising one of a fluorinated material and a silanized material.
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84. A kit for performing at least one operation on a packet comprising:
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a micro-container having an inner surface comprising at least one hydrophobic material, a carrier fluid immiscible with the packet containing at least one surfactant at a concentration large enough to decrease the surface tension between said packet and said water-immiscible fluid.
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Specification