Multi-layer microfluidic devices

• US 6,494,230 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chow, Calvin Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/877,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 137/827, 137/833, 204/601, 251/367
• US Class Current: 137/827
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00587 High throughput processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00702 Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00783 Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0415 electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0418 electro-osmotic flow [EOF]
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• 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 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/047 Optical MEMS not provided for in B81B2201/042 - B81B2201/045
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00119 : Arrangement of basic structures like cavities or channels, e.g. suitable for microfluidic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 2201/019 : Bonding or gluing multiple substrate layers
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44791 : Microapparatus sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/03 : Micromixers: variable geometry from the pathway influences mixing/agitation of non-laminar fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2191 : By non-fluid energy field affecting input [e.g., transducer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2224 : Structure of body of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7897 : Vacuum relief type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 : With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 : Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8359 : Inspection means

Abstract

The present invention provides multi-layer microfluidic systems, by providing additional substrate layers, e.g., third, fourth, fifth and more substrate layers, mated with the typically described first and second layers. Microfabricated elements, e.g., grooves, wells and the like, are manufactured into the surfaces between the various substrate layers. These microfabricated elements define the various microfluidic aspects or structures of the overall device, e.g., channels, chambers and the like. In preferred aspects, a separate microscale channel network is provided between each of the substrate layers.

Claims

1. A microfluidic system for measuring a property of a material comprising:

a microfluidic device comprising;

a body structure comprised of first, second and third substrate layers mated together, the second substrate layer being disposed between the first and third substrate layers;

at least a first and a second channel segment disposed in the body structure, the first channel segment being disposed between the first and second substrate layers and the second channel segment being disposed between the second and third substrate layers, at least one of the first and second channel segments being disposed in the second substrate layer

a port disposed through the second substrate layer, the port fluidly connecting the first and second channel segments; and

a detection system in sensory communication with at least one of the first channel segment, the port or the second channel segment.

2. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein said first and second channel segments are both disposed in the second substrate layer.

3. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the top, middle and bottom substrate layers each have a first surface and a second surface such that the first surface of the top substrate layer is bonded to the first surface of the middle substrate layer, the second surface of the middle substrate layer is bonded to a first surface of the bottom substrate layer, the first channel segment being defined at an interface of the top and middle substrate layers, and the second channel segment being defined at an interface of the middle and bottom substrate layers, and wherein the port is disposed through the middle substrate layer.

4. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the detection system measures light transmissivity or absorbance of a material disposed within the first or second channel segment or the port.

5. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a diameter within the range of about 30 μ

m to about 500 μ

m.

6. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a diameter within the range of about 30 μ

m to about 250 μ

m.

7. The microfluidic system of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a diameter within the range of about 30 μ

m to about 100 μ

m.