Microfluidic devices incorporating improved channel geometries
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
at least first, second and third microscale channels disposed in the interior portion, the second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, and the third channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs disposed in the body structure, each of the plurality of sample reservoirs having a different sample material disposed therein and being connected to the second channel;
at least a first waste reservoir connected to the third channel; and
a material transport system for moving sample material from each of the plurality of sample reservoirs into the second channel and into the first channel.
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Abstract
The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.
309 Citations
71 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
at least first, second and third microscale channels disposed in the interior portion, the second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, and the third channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs disposed in the body structure, each of the plurality of sample reservoirs having a different sample material disposed therein and being connected to the second channel;
at least a first waste reservoir connected to the third channel; and
a material transport system for moving sample material from each of the plurality of sample reservoirs into the second channel and into the first channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
the first waste reservoir is connected to the third channel by a first load/waste channel, the first load/waste channel intersecting the third channel at a third intersection, the third intersection being located between the at least one sample reservoir and the second intersection; and
the second waste reservoir is connected to the second channel by a second load/waste channel, the second load/waste channel intersecting the second channel at a fourth intersection, the fourth intersection being located between the plurality of sample reservoirs and the first intersection.
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8. The microfluidic device of claim 7, wherein the third and fourth intersections are located within about 5 mm of the second and first intersections, respectively.
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9. The microfluidic device of claim 7, wherein the third and fourth intersections are located within about 2 mm of the second and first intersections, respectively.
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10. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the body structure comprises:
- a first planar substrate having at least a first planar surface;
a plurality of grooves disposed in the at least first planar surface, the plurality of grooves corresponding to the at least first, second and third channels;
a second planar substrate having a first planar surface, the first planar surface of the second substrate being mated with the first planar surface of the first substrate to sealably cover the grooves to form the first, second and third channels, the channels defining the interior portion;
a plurality of apertures disposed in at least one of the first and second substrates, the apertures communicating with the first, second and third channels to define the plurality of sample reservoirs and at least first waste reservoir.
- a first planar substrate having at least a first planar surface;
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11. The microfluidic device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second planar substrates comprises a silica-based substrate.
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12. The microfluidic device of claim 11, wherein the silica-based substrate is selected from glass, quartz and fused silica.
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13. The microfluidic device of claim 11, wherein the silica-based substrate comprises glass.
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14. The microfluidic device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second planar substrates comprises a polymeric material.
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15. The microfluidic device of claim 14, wherein the polymeric material is selected from polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylmehacrylate, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polysulfone, polycarbonate, polymethylpentene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidine fluoride, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer.
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16. The microfluidic device of claim 14, wherein the polymeric material comprises polymethylmethacrylate.
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17. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs comprises at least 2 sample reservoirs.
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18. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs comprises at least 4 sample reservoirs.
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19. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs comprises at least 8 sample reservoirs.
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20. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs comprises at least 12 sample reservoirs.
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21. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising at least 2 sample reservoirs connected to the third channel.
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22. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising at least 4 sample reservoirs connected to the third channel.
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23. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising at least 8 sample reservoirs connected to the third channel.
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24. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising at least 12 sample reservoirs connected to the third channel.
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25. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs are arranged in the body structure in a linear format and are regularly spaced apart.
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26. The microfluidic device of claim 25, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 9 mm centers.
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27. The microfluidic device of claim 25, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 4.5 mm centers.
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28. The microfluidic device of claim 25, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 2.25 mm centers.
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29. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample reservoirs are arranged in a gridded format and are regularly spaced apart.
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30. The microfluidic device of claim 29, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 9 mm centers.
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31. The microfluidic device of claim 29, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 4.5 mm centers.
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32. The microfluidic device of claim 29, wherein the regularly spaced sample reservoirs are spaced on approximately 2.25 mm centers.
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33. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sample reservoirs is connected to the second channel via a separate sample channel which is in fluid communication with the separate sample reservoir and intersects the second channel.
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34. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second channel has a width dimension less than that of the first channel.
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35. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein at least the second channel has a width of between about 10 μ
- m and about 50 μ
m.
- m and about 50 μ
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36. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein at least the first channel has a separation medium disposed therein.
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37. The microfluidic device of claim 36, wherein the separation medium comprises a sieving matrix.
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38. The microfluidic device of claim 37, wherein the sieving matrix comprises polyacrylamide.
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39. The microfluidic device of claim 1, said sample materials disposed in the sample reservoirs comprise nucleic acids.
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40. A kit for analyzing component elements of a sample, comprising:
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a microfluidic device of claim 1; and
separation medium packaged together with instructions for their use in separating component elements of a sample.
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41. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the body structure comprises first and second planar substrates, at least one of the first or second substrates comprises a polymer substrate, wherein the polymer substrate comprises an embossed channel or reservoir.
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42. The microfluidic device of claim 41, wherein the polymer substrate comprises one or more of:
- polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethylmethacrylate, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene polysulfone, polycarbonate, polymethylpentene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidine fluoride, and acrylonitrile- butadine-styrene-copolymer.
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43. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
at least first, second and third microscale channels disposed in the interior portion, the second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, and the third channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs disposed in the body structure, each of the plurality of sample reservoirs having a different sample material disposed therein, and at least a first sample reservoir being connected to the second channel and at least a second sample reservoir being connected to the third channel;
at least a first and second waste reservoirs, the first waste reservoir being connected to the second channel, and the second waste reservoir being connected to the third channel; and
a material transport system for moving sample material from the first sample reservoir into the second channel toward the first waste reservoir, and for moving sample material from the second sample reservoir into the third channel toward the second waste reservoir.
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44. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
a first channel disposed in the interior portion;
at least a first sample preload module in fluid communication with the first channel, the preload module comprising;
a first sample loading channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, a first plurality of sample reservoirs in fluid communication with the first sample loading channel wherein each of the plurality of sample reservoirs has a different sample material disposed therein;
a first load/waste reservoir in communication with the first sample loading channel between the first plurality of sample reservoirs and the first intersection; and
a material transport system operating to move sample materials from at least one of the plurality of sample material into the first sample loading channel and into the load waste reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
a second sample loading channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection, a second plurality of sample reservoirs in fluid communication with the second sample loading channel; and
a second load/waste reservoir in communication with the second sample loading channel between the second plurality of sample reservoirs and the second intersection.
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46. The microfluidic device of claim 45, wherein the first and second intersections are located at a common point along the first channel, thereby forming a common intersection.
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47. The microfluidic device of claim 45, wherein the first and second sample loading channels are colinear.
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48. A method of analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:
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a) providing a microfluidic device that comprises;
a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
at least first, second and third microscale channels disposed in the interior portion, the second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, and the third channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs disposed in the body structure, each of the sample reservoirs being connected to the second channel;
at least a first waste reservoir connected to the third channel;
b) transporting a sample material from a first of said plurality of sample reservoirs through the second channel, through the first and second intersections, into the third channel, toward the first waste reservoir;
c) injecting a portion of said sample material at the first intersection into the first channel;
d) transporting the portion of first sample material along the first channel; and
e) analyzing the portion of first sample material in the analysis channel. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
the microfluidic device provided in the providing step further comprises at least a fourth channel connecting a second waste reservoir to the second channel by a load/waste channel at a third intersection, the third intersection being located on the second channel between the plurality of sample reservoirs and the first intersection; and
whereinthe step of transporting sample material from a first sample reservoir to the first intersection comprises first transporting the sample material through the second channel to the third intersection and into the fourth channel toward the second waste reservoir.
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52. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of transporting sample material from the first sample reservoir to the first intersection comprises transporting material at the third intersection through the second channel and into the first intersection.
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53. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of transporting sample material from the sample reservoir comprises electrokinetically moving the sample material from the sample reservoir to the first intersection.
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54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of electrokinetically moving comprises applying a voltage gradient between the sample reservoir and the first waste reservoir to move the sample material through the first and second intersection, into the third channel and toward the first waste reservoir.
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55. The method of claim 53, wherein:
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in the providing step, the first and second intersections are located at a common point on the first channel; and
further comprising electrokinetically pinching the first sample material in the first and second intersections.
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56. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of transporting the portion of the sample material through the first channel further comprises the step of electrokinetically transporting the sample material in the second and third channels away from the first and second intersections, respectively.
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57. A method of separating component elements of a sample material, comprising:
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a) providing a microfluidic device that comprises;
a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
at least first, second and third microscale channels disposed in the interior portion, the second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection, and the third channel intersecting the first channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs disposed in the body structure, each of the sample reservoirs being connected to the second channel;
at least a first waste reservoir connected to the third channel;
b) transporting the sample material from a first of said plurality of sample reservoirs through the second channel, through the first and second intersections, into the third channel, toward the first waste reservoir;
c) injecting a portion of the sample material at the first intersection into the first channel;
d) transporting the sample material along the first channel to separate the component elements of the sample material. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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61. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure comprising an exterior portion and an interior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion and in fluid communication and crossing said analysis channel at a first intersection;
a plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said sample loading channel, whereby there is at least one of said plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said sample loading channel on each side of said first intersection; and
first and second load/waste channels disposed in said interior portion, each of said first and second load/waste channels intersecting said sample loading channel at second and third intersections, respectively, said second and third intersections being on different sides of said first intersection.
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62. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion;
a microfluidic analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a microfluidic sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion on a first side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection;
a plurality of sample reservoirs in fluid communication with said sample loading channel on a first side of said first intersection, each of said plurality of sample reservoirs having a different sample material disposed therein;
a waste channel disposed in said interior portion on a second side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a second intersection; and
a waste reservoir in fluid communication with said waste channel on said second side of said first intersection; and
a material transport system for moving sample material from each of the plurality of sample reservoirs through the sample loading channel toward the waste reservoir.
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63. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a body structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
first and second transverse channels disposed in said interior portion, said first transverse channel being disposed on a first side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection, and said second transverse channel being disposed on a second side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a second intersection;
a first sample source disposed in said body structure in fluid communication with said first transverse channel, said first sample source having a first sample material disposed therein;
at least a second sample source disposed in said body structure in fluid communication with said second transverse channel, said second sample source having a second sample material disposed therein;
a first waste channel disposed in said interior portion intersecting said first transverse channel at a third intersection;
at least a second waste channel disposed in said interior portion intersecting said second transverse channel at a fourth intersection; and
a material direction system for individually transporting a sample from each of said first and second sample sources to said first and second waste channels via said first and second transverse channels, respectively, and selectively injecting said samples into said analysis channel.
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64. A microfluidic system, comprising:
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a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
first and second transverse channels disposed in said interior portion, said first transverse channel being disposed on a first side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection, and said second transverse channel being disposed on a second side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a second intersection;
a plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said first transverse channel, each of the plurality of sample sources having a different sample material disposed therein;
a first waste channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting said first transverse channel at a third intersection;
at least a second waste channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting said second transverse channel at a fourth intersection; and
a material direction system for individually transporting a sample from a first and a second of said plurality of sample sources to said first and second waste channels via said first and second transverse channels, respectively, and selectively injecting said samples into said analysis channel.
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65. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting and in fluid communication with said analysis channel;
a plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said sample loading channel, each of the plurality of sample sources having a different sample material disposed therein; and
a material transport system programmed to transport sample material from each of the plurality of sample sources, through the sample loading channel and into the analysis channel.
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66. A method of analyzing a plurality of different sample materials, comprising:
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providing a microfluidic device which comprises;
a planar body structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection; and
a plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said sample loading channel;
transporting a first sample from a first of said plurality of sample sources, through said sample loading channel to said first intersection;
injecting a portion of said first sample into said analysis channel;
analyzing said portion of said first sample in said analysis channel;
transporting a second sample from a second of said plurality of sample sources through said loading channel to said intersection;
injecting a portion of said second sample into said analysis channel; and
analyzing said portion of said second sample in said analysis channel.
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67. A method of performing analysis on a plurality of different sample materials, comprising:
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providing a microfluidic device which comprises;
a body structure having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection; and
a sample preloading module which comprises at least first and second sample reservoirs and a waste reservoir disposed in said body structure, wherein each of said plurality of sample reservoirs and said waste reservoir are in fluid communication with said sample loading channel;
transporting a first sample from said first sample reservoir to said first intersection;
injecting a portion of said first sample into said analysis channel;
concurrently analyzing said portion of said first sample in said analysis channel, and transporting a second sample from said second sample reservoir into said loading channel and then to said waste reservoir;
transporting said second sample from said loading channel to said intersection;
injecting a portion of said second sample into said analysis channel; and
analyzing said portion of said second sample in said analysis channel.
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68. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure;
an analysis channel disposed within the body structure, the analysis channel including a detection region for detecting an optical signal in the analysis channel;
a plurality of sample sources disposed in the body structure, each of the plurality of sample sources being in fluid communication with a first point in the analysis channel via one or more sample channels and having a different sample material disposed therein; and
wherein a channel distance between a first of the plurality of sample sources and the point in the analysis channel, is substantially equal to a channel distance between a second of the plurality of sample sources and the point in the analysis channel.
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69. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure;
an analysis channel disposed in the body structure;
a first sample introduction channel disposed in the body structure, and intersecting the analysis channel at a first point;
a first plurality of sample sources disposed in the body structure, each of the first plurality of sample sources having a different sample material disposed therein, and being in fluid communication with the first sample introduction channel via a first plurality of separate sample channels disposed in the body structure, respectively, wherein a channel distance between a first of the first plurality of sample sources and the first point is substantially equal to a channel distance between a second of the plurality of sample sources and the first point.
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70. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a body structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion;
an analysis channel disposed in said interior portion;
a sample loading channel disposed in said interior portion and intersecting and in fluid communication with said analysis channel;
wherein said analysis channel and said sample loading channels have a width of less than 50 μ
m; and
a plurality of sample sources in fluid communication with said sample loading channel.
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71. A method of manufacturing a microfluidic device, comprising:
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fabricating a plurality of channels in a first planar surface of a first substrate, the plurality of channels defining;
an analysis channel, a sample loading channel disposed on a first side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a first intersection;
a plurality of sample channels intersecting said sample loading channel on a first side of said first intersection;
a waste channel disposed on a second side of said analysis channel, and intersecting said analysis channel at a second intersection;
overlaying a second planar substrate on the planar surface of the first substrate to seal the plurality of channels, the second planar substrate having a plurality of ports disposed therethrough, the plurality of ports comprising two ports in communication with opposite ends of the analysis channel, a waste port in communication with an unintersected terminus of the waste channel, and a plurality of sample ports each in separate communication with the unintersected termini of the sample channels.
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Specification