MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE

• US 20110008767A1
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Corporation Of America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Corporation Of America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Durack, Gary P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,891,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/5
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/025 for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics antimicrobial activity C12Q1/18

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices allow light collection from multiple directions. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices use spatial intensity modulation. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have magnetic field separators. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have the ability to stack. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have 3-D hydrodynamic focusing to align sperm cells. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have acoustic energy couplers. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have phase variation producing lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have transmissive and reflective lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have integrally-formed optics. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have non-integral geographically selective reagent delivery structures. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides with reflective surfaces incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have virus detecting and sorting capabilities. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices display a color change to indicate use or a result.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device system, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

a first light collection device operative to collect light emitted by said cells in a first direction, said first light collection device producing a first output;

a second light collection device operative to collect light emitted by said cells in a second direction, said second light collection device producing a second output; and

detection optics operative to receive said first and second outputs.

2. The microfluidic device system of claim 1, wherein said first and second light collection device comprise a multi-core fiber optic cable.

3. The microfluidic device system of claim 1, wherein said detection optics comprise a device selected from the group consisting of:

photomultiplier tube, photodiode, and avalanche photodiode.

4. The microfluidic device system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first lens operative to focus said first light on said first light collection device; and

a second lens operative to focus said second light on said second light collection device.

5. The microfluidic device system of claim 4, wherein said first and second lenses are disposed on said substrate.

6. The microfluidic device system of claim 4, wherein said first and second lenses are integrally formed with said substrate.

7. The microfluidic device system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first light source operative to produce a first light output; and

a first dichroic mirror operative to reflect said first light output to said cells, said first dichroic mirror further operative to allow said light emitted by said cells in said first direction to pass therethrough.

8. The microfluidic device system of claim 7, further comprising:

a second light source operative to produce a second light output; and

a second dichroic mirror operative to reflect said second light output to said cells, said second dichroic mirror further operative to allow said light emitted by said cells in said second direction to pass therethrough.

9. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising;

a substrate; and

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

b) capturing first light emitted from said cells in a first direction;

c) capturing second light emitted from said cells in a second direction;

d) combining said first light and said second light captured at steps (b) and (c); and

e) performing cytometry analysis on said combined first and second light.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

step (b) comprises capturing said first light with a first end of a multi-core fiber optic cable; and

step (c) comprises capturing said second light with a second end of said multi-core fiber optic cable.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

f) shining first source light on said cells from said first direction; and

g) shining second source light on said cells from said second direction.

12. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising;

a substrate;

a first microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said first flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of first cells flowing in said first flow channel; and

a second microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said second flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of second cells flowing in said second flow channel;

b) producing an excitation beam aimed at said first and second flow channels;

c) spatially varying said excitation beam in a first manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said first flow channel; and

d) spatially varying said excitation beam in a second manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said second flow channel.

13. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

a sample reception well formed onboard said substrate, said sample reception well being fluidically coupled to said flow channel; and

an electromagnet disposed onboard said substrate and operative when energized to produce a magnetic field within said sample reception well.

14. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

at least one leg positioned on a surface of said substrate, said at least one leg facilitating stacking said microfluidic device on another microfluidic device.

15. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

at least one hydrodynamic alignment structure fluidically coupled to said flow channel, said at least one hydrodynamic alignment structure operative to orient said cells such that a majority of said cells are analyzed from their largest dimension.

16. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

a well disposed onboard said substrate, said well being fluidically coupled with said flow channel; and

an acoustic energy coupler disposed within said well.

17. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

a lens formed onboard said substrate, said lens operative to spatially modify an intensity of light passing therethrough.

18. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

a first lens formed onboard said substrate, said first lens being disposed on a first side of said flow channel; and

a second lens formed onboard said substrate, said second lens being disposed on a second side of said flow channel.

19. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

a lens formed onboard said substrate at said first surface, said lens lying below said first surface.

20. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface;

a reagent receiving well formed onboard said substrate;

a reagent structure having a reagent disposed thereon, wherein application of said reagent structure to said first surface causes said reagent to align with said reagent receiving well for transfer of reagent thereto; and

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel is fluidically coupled to said reagent receiving well.

21. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

an optical waveguide formed in said flow channel.

22. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

an optical waveguide formed in said flow channel; and

a reflective surface disposed within said flow channel.

23. A method of determining a pharmacological efficacy, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising;

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of viral particles flowing in said flow channel; and

a well formed onboard said substrate;

b) depositing a material into said well;

c) flowing said viral particles into said well;

d) reacting said viral particles with said material; and

e) determining a pharmacological efficacy of said material based upon said reaction.

24. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising;

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

a dye repository formed onboard said substrate;

b) depositing a dye into said well;

c) performing a cytometry analysis on said cells; and

d) causing said dye to exit said dye repository and enter said flow channel after said cytometry analysis is complete.