METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DISCRETIZATION AND MANIPULATION OF SAMPLE VOLUMES
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes that is simple, robust, and versatile. It is a fluidic device that partitions a sample by exploiting the interplay between fluidic forces, interfacial tension, channel geometry, and the final stability of the formed droplet and/or discretized volume. These compartmentalized volumes allow for isolation of samples and partitioning into a localized array that can subsequently be manipulated and analyzed. The isolation of the discretized volumes along with the device'"'"'s inherent portability render our invention versatile for use in many areas, including but not limited to PCR, digital PCR, biological assays for diagnostics and prognostics, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, high throughput screening, single molecule and single cell reactions or assays, the study crystallization and other statistical processes, protein crystallization, drug screening, environmental testing, and the coupling to a wide range of analytical detection techniques for biomedical assays and measurements. The minimal fluid interconnects and simple flow geometry makes the device easy to use and implement, economical to fabricate and operate, and robust in its operations.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1-43. -43. (canceled)
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44. An apparatus comprising:
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a flow channel having a flow axis, the flow channel in selective fluid communication with a source of an aqueous solution; and a plurality of fluidic harbors in fluidic communication with the flow channel and offset from the flow axis; and the flow channel or fluidic harbors comprising a solution immiscible with the aqueous solution.
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45. An apparatus comprising:
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a flow channel having a flow axis, the flow channel in selective fluid communication with a source of a first continuous liquid, and in selective fluid communication with a source of a second continuous liquid immiscible with the first liquid; and a plurality of fluidic harbors in fluidic communication with the flow channel and offset from the flow axis. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification