Microfluidic systems incorporating varied channel dimensions
First Claim
1. A mirofluidic device comprising a body structure and at least a first microscale channel disposed therein, the microscale channel comprising at least first and second ends and at least a portion of the microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than 1.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is generally directed to improved microfluidic devices, systems and methods of using same, which incorporate channel profiles that impart significant benefits over previously described systems. In particular, the presently described devices and systems employ channels having, at least in part, depths that are varied over those which have been previously described. These varied channel depths provide numerous beneficial and unexpected results.
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Citations
42 Claims
- 1. A mirofluidic device comprising a body structure and at least a first microscale channel disposed therein, the microscale channel comprising at least first and second ends and at least a portion of the microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than 1.
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28. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising a body structure, the body structure having at least first and second microscale channels disposed therein, each of the first and second microscale channels having first and second ends, the first microscale channel intersecting and in fluid communication with the second channel, at least the first microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than or equal to about 1; and an electrical control system operably coupled to the first and second ends of the first and second channels, and capable of concomitantly delivering a voltage to each of the first and second ends of the first and second channels. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method of transporting at least a first material region through a microscale channel wherein the channel comprises at least one turn, the method comprising:
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providing at least a portion of the channel at the turn with an aspect ratio (width/depth) that is less than 1; and transporting the first material region through the at least one turn. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of mixing a first material and at least a second material in a first microscale channel, comprising:
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providing a mixing region and a non-mixing region of the first channel, the mixing region having a cross-sectional area that is sufficient to permit substantially complete diffusional mixing of the two materials while the two materials are serially transported into and through the mixing region; and serially introducing and transporting the two materials into and through the mixing region. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification