Devices and methods for using centripetal acceleration to drive fluid movement on a microfluidics system
First Claim
1. A microsystem platform comprisinga) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combinationb) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 1 to about 150 μ
- L, that is fluidly connected withc) a first metering capillary array comprising a multiplicity of metering capillaries, and an overflow capillary, each being fluidly connected with the entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the first metering capillary array defines a volume of the fluid and wherein the first metering capillary array is fluidly connected withd) a first fluid chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port, and wherein the overflow capillary is fluidly connected withe) an overflow chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the overflow capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the holding channel and the entry port,wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of each of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array and the first fluid chamber and at the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber, whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of each of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array and the first fluid chamber, and excess fluid flows by capillary action to the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber; and
wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement in the overflow capillary into the overflow chamber but not fluid displacement in any of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array, whereby rotation of the platform at the first rotational speed drains the fluid from the entry port into the overflow chamber; and
wherein rotation of the platform at a second rotation speed that is greater than the first rotational speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in the metering capillary array into the first fluid chamber; and
wherein each of the first fluid chamber and overflow chamber also comprise air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.
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Citations
84 Claims
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1. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 1 to about 150 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) a first metering capillary array comprising a multiplicity of metering capillaries, and an overflow capillary, each being fluidly connected with the entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the first metering capillary array defines a volume of the fluid and wherein the first metering capillary array is fluidly connected withd) a first fluid chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port, and wherein the overflow capillary is fluidly connected with e) an overflow chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the overflow capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the holding channel and the entry port, wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of each of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array and the first fluid chamber and at the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber, whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of each of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array and the first fluid chamber, and excess fluid flows by capillary action to the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber; and
wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement in the overflow capillary into the overflow chamber but not fluid displacement in any of the metering capillaries comprising the metering capillary array, whereby rotation of the platform at the first rotational speed drains the fluid from the entry port into the overflow chamber; andwherein rotation of the platform at a second rotation speed that is greater than the first rotational speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in the metering capillary array into the first fluid chamber; and
wherein each of the first fluid chamber and overflow chamber also comprise air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
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14. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 1 to about 150 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) a capillary array comprising a multiplicity of capillaries, each capillary being fluidly connected with the entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the capillary array defines a volume of the fluid and wherein the capillary array is fluidly connected withd) a first fluid chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port, and wherein the first fluid chamber is also fluidly connected with an overflow capillary that is fluidly connected with e) an overflow chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the overflow capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the holding channel and the entry port, wherein the overflow capillary is fluidly connected with the first fluid chamber at a position on the platform that is closer to the axis of rotation than the position on the platform where the capillaries of the capillary array are fluidly connected with the first fluid chamber; wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of each of the capillaries comprising the capillary array and the first fluid chamber and at the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber, whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the each of the capillaries comprising the capillary array and the first fluid chamber, and wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in entry port through the capillary array into the first fluid chamber until the level of the fluid in the first fluid chamber reaches the position of the fluid connection between the first fluid chamber and the overflow capillary, wherein excess fluid flows through the overflow capillary to the capillary junction with the overflow chamber at the first rotational speed, and drains excess fluid from the first fluid chamber through the overflow channel and into the overflow chamber, until the level of fluid in the first fluid chamber is decreased to a level farther from the center of rotation in the first fluid chamber than the position where the overflow capillary is fluidly connected with the chamber, thereby leaving a defined volume of fluid in the first fluid chamber; and wherein each of the first fluid chamber and overflow chamber also comprise air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
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27. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 1 to about 50 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) an entry capillary that defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.1 to about 2 cm in diameter and having a volume of about 5 to 25 μ
L, wherein the capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the entry capillary is fluidly connected withd) a separation column having a cross-sectional diameter of about 0.1 to about 2 cm and having a volume of about 5 to 25 μ
L, and having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the entry capillary, and that defines a first, closed end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second closed end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the separation chamber is positioned substantially parallel to the entry capillary and wherein the entry capillary is fluidly connected with the separation chamber at a position on the platform that is substantially more proximal to the second end of the chamber than the first end of the chamber;wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of the entry capillary and the separation chamber, whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the entry capillary and the separation chamber, and wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement in the entry capillary into the separation; and
wherein the separation chamber also comprises air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
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37. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 5 to about 50 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) an overflow capillary that is fluidly connected with d) an overflow chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the overflow capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port, and wherein the entry port is fluidly connected with e) a first metering capillary array and a metering second capillary array, each comprising a multiplicity of capillaries, each capillary being fluidly connected with the entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the capillary array defines a volume of the fluidand wherein the first metering capillary array is fluidly connected with f) a ballast chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port but radially less distant that the capillary junction, wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of each of the capillaries comprising the second metering capillary array and the ballast chamber; and wherein the second metering capillary array is fluidly connected with g) a capillary junction having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port; and
wherein the capillary junction is fluidly connected toh) a channel that is fluidly connected to i) a separation chamber that is positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the ballast chamber and having a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform; whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the each of the metering capillaries comprising the first metering capillary array and the ballast chamber, and to the junction of each of the metering capillaries of the second metering capillary array and the capillary junction, and excess fluid flows by capillary action to the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber; and wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement in the overflow capillary into the overflow chamber but not fluid displacement in any of the metering capillaries comprising the first or second metering capillary arrays, whereby rotation of the platform at the first rotational speed drains the fluid from the entry port into the overflow chamber; and
wherein rotation of the platform at a second rotation speed that is greater than the first rotational speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in the metering capillaries of the first capillary array into the ballast chamber; and
displacement of the volume of the fluid in the metering capillaries of the second capillary array through the capillary boundary and the channel and into the separation chamber;wherein each of the ballast chamber, the overflow chamber and the separation chamber also comprise air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
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50. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) a first fluid chamber comprising a volume of a first fluid and a second fluid chamber comprising a second volume of a second fluid, wherein the first fluid chamber is fluidly connected to a first capillary and the second fluid chamber is fluidly connected to a second capillary, and wherein each of the first and second capillaries are fluidly connected to c) a capillary junction having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the first or second capillaries and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than either of the fluid chambers, and wherein the capillary junction is fluidly connected to d) a mixing chamber inlet capillary extending radially on the platform from the capillary junction and being further fluidly connected to e) a mixing chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the inlet capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than either of the capillary junction, the mixing chamber further comprising a mixing chamber outlet capillary fluidly connected thereto.
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60. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) a first entry port and a second entry port, each comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 5 to about 50 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) a first capillary array and a second capillary array, each comprising a multiplicity of capillaries, each capillary of the first capillary array being fluidly connected with the first entry port, and each capillary of the second capillary array being fluidly connected with the second entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the capillary array defines a volume of the fluidand wherein the capillary arrays are fluidly connected with d) a curved capillary barrier having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform, wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of each of the capillaries comprising the capillary arrays and the curved capillary barrier; whereby a first fluid placed onto the platform at the first entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the each of the capillaries comprising the first capillary array and the curved capillary junction, and a second fluid placed onto the platform at the second entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the each of the capillaries comprising the second capillary array and the curved capillary junction, and wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in the capillaries of the first and second capillary arrays into the curved capillary junction; and
whereinthe curved capillary junction also comprise air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 83, 84)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
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70. A microsystem platform comprising
a) a rotatable platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, each surface comprising a center about which the platform is rotated, wherein the first surface comprises in combination b) an entry port comprising a depression in the first surface having a volumetric capacity of about 1 to about 100 μ - L, that is fluidly connected with
c) a metering capillary and an overflow capillary, each being fluidly connected with the entry port, wherein each capillary defines a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm in diameter, and wherein each capillary extends radially from the center of the platform and defines a first end proximally arrayed towards the center of the platform and a second end distally arrayed from the center of the platform, wherein the proximal end of each capillary defines a curved opening;
wherein the metering capillary defines a volume of the fluid and wherein the metering capillary is fluidly connected withd) a first capillary junction having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the metering capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the entry port, and wherein the overflow capillary is fluidly connected with e) an overflow chamber having a depth in the surface of the platform equal to or greater than the overflow capillary and positioned radially more distant from the center of the platform than the holding channel and the entry port, wherein a capillary junction is formed at the junction of the metering capillary and the first capillary junction, and at the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber, whereby fluid placed onto the disk at the entry port flows by capillary action to the junction of the metering capillary and the first capillary junction, and excess fluid flows by capillary action to the junction of the overflow capillary and the overflow chamber; and
wherein rotation of the platform at a first rotation speed motivates fluid displacement in the overflow capillary into the overflow chamber but not fluid displacement in the metering capillary, whereby rotation of the platform at the first rotational speed drains the fluid from the entry port into the overflow chamber; andwherein rotation of the platform at a second rotation speed that is greater than the first rotational speed motivates fluid displacement of the volume of the fluid in the metering capillary past the first capillary junction; and
wherein the overflow chamber also comprises air displacement channels whereby air displaced by fluid movement is vented to the surface of the platform. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80)
- L, that is fluidly connected with
Specification