SELECTIVE BOND REDUCTION IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES

• US 20120184046A1
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Micah Atkin
• Original Assignee: Micah Atkin
• Inventors: Atkin, Micah
• Application Number:
  US13/499,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184046A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/161
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/006 Diffusion joining measures for intermixing the material of the joint interlayer B29C66/341
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/008 making use of electrostatic charges holding means using electrostatic forces to hold at least one of the parts to be joined B29C65/7852
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1406 Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1409 : Visible light radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1412 : Infrared [IR] radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1425 : Microwave radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/16 : Laser beams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1635 : at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1696 : making use of masks
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 : using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4815 : Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/483 : Reactive adhesives, e.g. chemically curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/484 : Moisture curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4895 : Solvent bonding, i.e. the surfaces of the parts to be joined being treated with solvents, swelling or softening agents, without adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/004 : Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/54 : Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7212 : characterised by the composition of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2001/12 : Cellulose acetate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2001/18 : Cellulose nitrate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/00 : Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/04 : Polymers of ethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0633 : LDPE, i.e. low density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/065 : HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/10 : Polymers of propylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/18 : Polymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms, e.g. polymers of butylene, e.g. PB, i.e. polybutylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/38 : Polymers of cycloalkenes, e.g. norbornene or cyclopentene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/04 : Polymers of styrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/06 : PS, i.e. polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/08 : PVDC, i.e. polyvinylidene chloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/16 : PVDF, i.e. polyvinylidene fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/18 : PTFE, i.e. polytetrafluorethene , e.g. ePTFE, i.e. expanded polytetrafluorethene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/08 : Polymers of acrylic acid esters, e.g. PMA, i.e. polymethylacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/12 : Polymers of methacrylic acid esters, e.g. PMMA, i.e. polymethylmethacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/26 : Polymers of acrylamide or methacrylamide
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2055/02 : ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2059/00 : Use of polyacetals , e.g. POM, i.e. polyoxymethylene or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/003 : PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/006 : PBT, i.e. polybutylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 : Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2071/00 : Use of polyethers , e.g. PEEK, i.e. polyether-etherketone or PEK, i.e. polyetherketone or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 : Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 : Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2079/08 : PI, i.e. polyimides or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2079/085 : Thermoplastic polyimides, e.g. polyesterimides, PEI, i.e. polyetherimides, or polyamideimides; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2081/06 : PSU, i.e. polysulfones; PES, i.e. polyethersulfones or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2083/00 : Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2309/08 : Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/756 : Microarticles, nanoarticles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/0076 : characterised in that the layers are not bonded on the totality of their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/145 : Printing
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 : Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 : Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0094 : Micropumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 : Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]

Abstract

The invention overcomes the limitations described for the bonding of structured layers by providing a method for selectively reducing the bonding of materials. In its most generic form, the invention uses a bonding technique in combination with a printing method for modifying or covering at least one portion of a surface to either fully or partially prevent localised bonding. The structuring process may act upon the layers either before or after the bonding of the layers. The invention overcomes the limitations described in the application of affinity chromatography by providing a planar substrate with discrete optical detection flow cells that contain porous material and have connecting microchannels for fluid delivery and/or removal, and a method for making the same.

Claims

1. A method for forming a spatially defined bond between a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising the steps of (i) printing a bond-reducing material to an area on the first surface, and (ii) contacting the first surface and the second surface under conditions allowing the first surface to bond to the second surface, wherein the bond-reducing material substantially prevents or otherwise interferes with the formation of a bond between the first surface and the second surface about the area to which the bond-reducing material is applied, wherein the structure resulting from bonding first surface and the second surface is a microfluidic device.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bond-reducing material is printed by a process selected from the group consisting of:

contact Microspotting or non-contact microspotting;

Contact printing;

Screen printing;

Syringe delivery;

ink-jet delivery;

Lithography;

robotic placement of dried or liquid chemicals;

Letterpress, Gravure, flexographic and other such printing methods;

contact mask based deposition methods;

Laser based deposition;

laser based surface modification techniques; and

thermal transfer methods, such as with laser, hot stamping, and thermal ribbon printers.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bond-reducing material is an ink comprising i) colorants that provide colour contrast, ii) vehicles or varnishes that bind to the printed surface, iii) additives that influence the printability, film characteristics, drying speed, or end-use properties and optionally include chemical moieties for bond reduction, and iv) one or more solvents to expedite formation of the vehicles, reduce ink viscosity, adjust drying properties of the ink, or resin compatibility of the ink.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bond-reducing material is a solid film or foil, powder, high-viscosity paste, gel, or a low-viscosity liquid.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first surface is bonded to the second surface by a method selected from the group consisting of laser welding, diffusion bonding, surface modified chemical bonding, solvent assisted bonding, thermal laminating, chemical covalent or charged surface group bonding, mechanical interlocking, ultrasonic welding, die-electric bonding, microwave bonding, electrostatic attraction, magnetic attraction, and adhesive bonding.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bond-reducing material is at least partially removed prior to or after the first surface is bonded to the second surface.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bond-reducing material is at least partially removed by a method selected from the group consisting of evaporation, absorption, chemical reaction or the application of mechanical force, air or liquid pressure.

9. A composite structure according to claim 7 wherein the first structure or the second structure are materials selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefin;

Cyclo Olefin Polymer;

polypropylene;

polyethylene;

low density polyethylene;

high density polyethylene;

polymethy!-methacrylate;

polycarbonate;

polyethylene terephthalate;

polyethylene terephtalate glycol;

polybutylene terephtalate;

polystyrene;

polyimide;

polyetherimide;

acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;

polyurethane;

polydimethylsiloxane;

cellulose acetate;

polyamide;

polyether ether ketone;

polyvinylchloride;

polyvinylidene chloride;

polyvinylidene fluoride;

polymethylpentene;

polysulfone;

polytetrafluoroethylene;

polyoxide methylene;

nitrocellulose, nylons, acrylics, acetates, polyacrylamides, latex particles, or silica particles, and glass fibres, or combinations thereof.

10. A composite structure produced by a method according to claim 1.

29. A microfluidic affinity chromatographic method, the method comprising (i) introducing an analyte into the detection flow cell of a device according to claim 1 under conditions allowing the binding of a target molecule in the analyte to an affinity ligand and (ii) detecting the presence or absence of a bound target molecule.

8. A composite structure formed by the spatially-selective bonding a first structure to a second structure, the composite structure having in one area a cross-sectional arrangement comprising the first structure, a bond-reducing material, and the second structure;

and in another area the first structure, a bond-forming material and the second structure.

11. A microfluidic device comprising a composite structure according to claim 8.

12. A substantially planar microfluidic device for the affinity chromotographic analysis of a liquid analyte, the device comprising a substantially larger detection flow cell than the connecting microfluidic channels, the detection flow cell disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the device, the flow cell comprising (i) a liquid entry aperture (ii) a porous region and (iii) a liquid exit aperture, wherein in use the analyte flows from the liquid entry aperture, through the porous region and exits the flow cell via the liquid exit aperture.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the substantially larger detection flow cell is disposed at an angle ranging from 45 to 90 degrees relative to the plane of the device.

14. A device according to claim 12 wherein the substantially larger detection flow cell is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the device.

15. A device according to claim 12 wherein the detection flow cell is capable of sustaining a maximum flow rate of 1000 micro litres per minute;

optionally wherein the detection flow cell has a length of 10 micron to 10 millimetres, optionally wherein the detection flow cell has a width of 100 micron to 10 millimetres.

25. A device according to claim 12 wherein the detection flow cell is substantially cylindrical or rectangular shaped;

optionally wherein the detection flow cell comprises a polymer frit;

optionally wherein the detection flow cell comprises an affinity ligand.

26. A device according to claim 12 wherein the detection flow cell comprises an affinity chromatographic resin.

27. A device according to claim 12 having a size and detection flow cell layout compatible with standard microtiter plate based systems.

28. A device according to claim 12 having a multi-layer laminate comprising microfluidic structures.

16-24. -24. (canceled)