Microfluidic connector

• US 6,319,476 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Perseptive Biosystems Incorporated (Ecovyst, Inc.)
• Inventors: Victor, Richard L. Jr., Stokes, Jeffrey H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handy, Dwayne K.
• Application Number:
  US09/261,013
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 422/79, 422/99, 422/100, 422/102, 422/103, 422/104, 422/68.1, 436/174, 436/179, 436/180, 210/198.2
• US Class Current: 422/502
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/563 Joints or fittings in general F16L; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 5/00 Manufacture of fluid circuit elements; Manufacture of assemblages of such elements integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A fluid connector which provides a low fluid dead volume face seal capable of withstanding high pressures for coupling a fluid conduit to a microfluidic device. The fluid connector includes a housing, a clamping member, a first load support surface and a sealing member. The sealing member preferably includes first and second fluidically connected bores of different diameters so the fluid conduit may be retained within the larger diameter bore. The sealing member is positioned so that the smaller diameter bore interfaces with a port of the microfluidic device. In operation, the clamping member supplies an axial force to the first load support surface which is operatively coupled to the fluid conduit. When an axial force is transferred to the fluid conduit, the face of the fluid conduit at one end seals against the pliant portion of the sealing member while simultaneously urging the sealing member against the surface area surrounding the port of the microfluidic device to create a fluid-tight face seal.

Claims

1. A fluid connector for coupling a fluid conduit to a port of a microfluidic device comprising:

a housing having a bore extending therethrough for receiving the fluid conduit and positioning a first end of the fluid conduit to permit fluid communication between the fluid conduit and the microfluidic device;

a clamping member remote from the first end of the fluid conduit for applying an axial force to the fluid conduit;

a first load support surface operatively coupled to the fluid conduit between the clamping member and the first end of the fluid conduit for receiving the axial force from the clamping member and translating the axial force towards the first end of the fluid conduit; and

a sealing member interposed between the first end of the fluid conduit and the surface area surrounding the port of the microfluidic device, the sealing member having a first bore therethrough and comprising a pliant portion,

wherein the axial force urges the first end of the fluid conduit into contact with the pliant portion of the sealing member which urges the pliant portion of the sealing member into contact with the surface area surrounding the port of the microfluidic device to effect a fluid-tight seal having minimal fluid dead volume between the first end of the fluid conduit and the port of the microfluidic device.

2. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the sealing member further comprises a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore,

the second bore for receiving the fluid conduit and having a larger diameter than the first bore thereby defining a second load support surface,

wherein the plaint portion of the sealing member comprises the second load support surface.

3. The fluid connector of claim 2, wherein the sealing member is made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

4. The fluid connector of claim 2, wherein the sealing member is made of an elastomer.

5. The fluid connector of claim 2, wherein the sealing member is made of a fluoropolymer.

6. The fluid connector of claim 5 wherein the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene resins, perfluoroalkoxyfluoroethylene resins, polytetrafluoroethylene resins, and fluorinated ethylene propylene resins.

7. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the clamping member comprises a compression screw encompassing the fluid conduit, and the bore of the housing is threaded to accept the compression screw.

8. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the first load support surface is a surface of a ferrule which is engaged with the fluid conduit.

9. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the first load support surface is a protrusion formed on an outer surface of the fluid conduit.

10. The fluid connector of claim 1 further comprising an elastic member positioned between the clamping member and the first load support surface.

11. The fluid connector of claim 10 wherein the elastic member is a spring.

12. The fluid connector of claim 11 wherein the spring is a compression spring.

13. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, the top plate including the bore for receiving the fluid conduit, and for securing the fluid conduit remote from the first end of the fluid conduit,

wherein the axial force urges the first end of the fluid conduit into contact with the pliant portion of the sealing member when the top and bottom plates are mated.

14. The fluid connector of claim 13 further comprising an elastic member positioned between the first load support surface and the top plate.

15. The fluid connector of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, the top plate of the housing including the bore for receiving the fluid conduit, and the bottom plate of the housing for supporting the microfluidic device.

16. The fluid connector of claim 15 further comprising an alignment mechanism, wherein the alignment mechanism permits the first bore of the sealing member to align and communicate fluidly with the port of the microfluidic device.

17. The fluid connector of claim 16 wherein the alignment mechanism comprises:

a bore in the top plate for receiving a registration pin on the microfluidic device.

18. A microfluidic system comprising the fluid connector of claim 1 and a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device is a microfluidic chip comprising fused silica.

19. A microfluidic system comprising the fluid connector of claim 1 and a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device is a microfluidic chip comprising silicon.

20. A microfluidic system comprising the fluid connector of claim 1 and a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device is a microfluidic chip comprising plastic.