APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING ASSAYS AND HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device for conducting cellular assays, comprising:
- a main flow channel;
an input adapted to receive a first solution and in fluid communication with the main flow channel, whereby solution introduced into the input can flow into the main flow channel;
a plurality of control channels;
a plurality of chambers positioned along the main flow channel and in fluid communication therewith, such that solution flowing through the main flow channel can be stored in the chambers;
a plurality of branch flow channels, wherein each branch flow channel is in fluid communication with a branch inlet, each branch inlet adapted to receive a second solution and in fluid communication with one of the chambers, different branch flow channels being in fluid communication with different chambers;
a plurality of storage valves, wherein a pair of storage valves are operatively disposed with respect to each of the branch flow channels, and wherein each of the storage valves comprises an elastomeric segment that separates one of the branch flow channels and one of the control channels and that is deflectable into or retractable from the flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel, the storage valves of a pair being disposed with respect to one another such that when the elastomeric segment of each storage valve of the pair extends into the branch flow channel a holding space is formed between the segments in which one or more cells can be retained; and
one or more pumps to transport the first and/or second solution through the branch flow channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device for conducting cellular assays, comprising:
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a main flow channel; an input adapted to receive a first solution and in fluid communication with the main flow channel, whereby solution introduced into the input can flow into the main flow channel; a plurality of control channels; a plurality of chambers positioned along the main flow channel and in fluid communication therewith, such that solution flowing through the main flow channel can be stored in the chambers; a plurality of branch flow channels, wherein each branch flow channel is in fluid communication with a branch inlet, each branch inlet adapted to receive a second solution and in fluid communication with one of the chambers, different branch flow channels being in fluid communication with different chambers; a plurality of storage valves, wherein a pair of storage valves are operatively disposed with respect to each of the branch flow channels, and wherein each of the storage valves comprises an elastomeric segment that separates one of the branch flow channels and one of the control channels and that is deflectable into or retractable from the flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel, the storage valves of a pair being disposed with respect to one another such that when the elastomeric segment of each storage valve of the pair extends into the branch flow channel a holding space is formed between the segments in which one or more cells can be retained; and one or more pumps to transport the first and/or second solution through the branch flow channels. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of conducting a cellular analysis, comprising
providing a microfluidic device comprising a flow channel comprising a detection region; -
a plurality of control channels; and a pair of storage valves operatively disposed with respect to the flow channel, wherein each storage valve comprises one of the control channels, which control channel is separated from the flow channel by an elastomeric membrane, the elastomeric membrane being deflectable into the flow channel in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel, the two control channels of the storage valves being disposed relative to one another such that deflection of the elastomeric membrane of the respective control channels into the flow channel forms a holding space within the flow channel; introducing a sample containing one or more cells into the flow channel; actuating the storage valves to hold at least one of the cells within the holding space; and performing an assay by contacting the cells within the holding space with a solution containing one or more assay agents.
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Specification