Microfluidic branch metering systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A method for metering a plurality of microfluidic plugs from a larger fluidic volume, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a trunk channel having a fluidic outlet;
providing a plurality of microfluidic branch channels, each having an associated fluidic impedance region, wherein each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels is in fluid communication with the trunk channel;
supplying a first fluid volume to the trunk channel;
filling, directly from the trunk channel, each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels to each fluidic impedance region with a portion of the first fluid volume; and
flushing, with a second fluid, a remaining portion of the first fluid from the trunk channel through the fluidic outlet while each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels remains substantially filled.
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Abstract
Microfluidic devices and methods for metering discrete plugs of fluid are provided. The microfluidic devices include a trunk channel and a branch channel having an impedance region. A fluid is supplied to the trunk channel and fills the branch channel to the impedance region. The fluid is then flushed from the trunk channel leaving the branch channel filled. Because the branch channel has a volume, a discrete plug of the fluid having a volume substantially equal to that of the branch channel is formed.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for metering a plurality of microfluidic plugs from a larger fluidic volume, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a trunk channel having a fluidic outlet;
providing a plurality of microfluidic branch channels, each having an associated fluidic impedance region, wherein each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels is in fluid communication with the trunk channel;
supplying a first fluid volume to the trunk channel;
filling, directly from the trunk channel, each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels to each fluidic impedance region with a portion of the first fluid volume; and
flushing, with a second fluid, a remaining portion of the first fluid from the trunk channel through the fluidic outlet while each branch channel of the plurality of branch channels remains substantially filled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for metering a microfluidic plug from a larger fluidic volume, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a trunk channel having a fluidic outlet;
providing a microfluidic branch channel having an associated fluidic impedance region, wherein the branch channel is in fluid communication with the trunk channel;
supplying a first fluid volume to the trunk channel;
filling, directly from the trunk channel, the branch channel to the fluidic impedance region with a portion of the first fluid volume; and
flushing, with a second fluid, a remaining portion of the first fluid from the trunk channel through the fluidic outlet while the branch channel remains substantially filled. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
filling, from the branch channel, each sub-branch channel of the plurality of sub-branch channels to each sub-branch fluidic impedance region with a sub-portion of the portion of the first fluid volume.
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19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are substantially immiscible.
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20. The method of claims 17 wherein the second fluid is a gas.
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21. The method of claim 17 wherein the branch channel has a volume of less than about two microliters.
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22. The method of claim 17 wherein the branch channel has a volume of less than about one microliter.
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23. The method of claim 17 wherein the branch channel has a volume of less than about five hundred nanoliters.
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24. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of expelling the portion of the first fluid from the branch channel by generating a pressure differential.
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25. The method of claim 17 wherein the fluidic impedance region includes a valve.
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26. The method of claim 17 wherein the fluidic impedance region includes an overlap region.
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27. The method of claim 17 wherein the fluidic impedance region includes a porous membrane.
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28. The method of claim 27 wherein the porous membrane includes a plurality of porous regions.
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29. The method of claim 17 wherein the branch channel has an associated gas-permeable vent.
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30. The method of claim 17 wherein the trunk channel is a microfluidic channel.
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31. The method of claim 17 wherein the trunk channel is in fluid communication with a reservoir, the method further comprising the step of receiving the first fluid flushed from the trunk channel in the reservoir.
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32. The method of claim 31 wherein the reservoir comprises a microfluidic channel.
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33. A device for metering a microfluidic plug of fluid from a larger fluidic volume, the device comprising:
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a trunk channel having a fluidic inlet and a fluidic outlet; and
a microfluidic branch channel in direct, independent fluid communication with the trunk channel, the branch channel having a fluidic impedance region;
wherein the trunk channel, branch channel, fluidic inlet, fluidic outlet, and fluidic impedance are arranged to permit a first fluid to be supplied through the trunk channel to fill the branch channel to the fluidic impedance region, and thereafter to permit the fluidic contents of the trunk channel to be flushed through the fluidic outlet while the branch channel remains substantially filled. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification