Microfluidic devices and methods to regulate hydrodynamic and electrical resistance utilizing bulk viscosity enhancers
First Claim
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1. A method of inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance in a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
- providing at least one microscale cavity in the microfluidic device;
introducing a fluid into the microscale cavity, the fluid comprising an analyte and at least one bulk viscosity enhancer, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer effects an increase in bulk hydrodynamic resistance of the fluid within the at least one microscale cavity, thereby inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance in the microfluidic device.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance and/or for inducing low electrical resistance in microscale systems including bulk viscosity enhancers, surfactants, and electrolytes. High bulk hydrodynamic resistance is optionally utilized to regulate the effects of spontaneous injection and/or dispersion. Induced high hydrodynamic resistance in conjunction with induced low electrical resistance are optionally utilized to provide and regulate electrical fields within microfluidic devices. Integrated systems incorporating the methods of the invention are also provided.
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46 Claims
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1. A method of inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance in a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
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providing at least one microscale cavity in the microfluidic device;
introducing a fluid into the microscale cavity, the fluid comprising an analyte and at least one bulk viscosity enhancer, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer effects an increase in bulk hydrodynamic resistance of the fluid within the at least one microscale cavity, thereby inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance in the microfluidic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
providing at least one electrolyte in the fluid disposed in the at least one microscale cavity, wherein diffusive mobility of the at least one electrolyte is substantially unaffected by the increase in bulk hydrodynamic resistance within the at least one microscale cavity, thereby inducing low electrical resistance in the microfluidic device.
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12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one microscale cavity is a microchannel.
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13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer and the at least one electrolyte are flowed in the microfluidic device using one or more fluid direction components comprising one or more of:
- a fluid pressure force modulator, an electrokinetic force modulator, a capillary force modulator, or a fluid wicking element.
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14. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one electrolyte comprises at least one salt or at least one buffering ionic species.
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15. The method of claim 1 or 11, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer comprises a biocompatible polymer.
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16. The method of claim 1 or 11, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer comprises a molecular weight of at least about one kilodalton.
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17. The method of claims 1 or 11, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer comprises one or more of:
- a single polymer, a mixture of polymers, a copolymer, a block copolymer, a polymer micellar system, an interpenetrating polymer network, a polymer gel, a polysaccharide, a poly(ethylene glycol), a poly(vinyl alcohol), a poly(dimethylacryamide), or a derivative thereof.
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18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer is disposed in an aqueous solution.
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19. The method of claim 11, wherein the bulk hydrodynamic resistance of the fluid in the at least one microscale cavity in the microfluidic device is regulated by varying or selecting a concentration of the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer in the fluid disposed therein;
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wherein the electrical resistance in the at least one microscale cavity in the microfluidic device is regulated by varying or selecting a concentration of the at least one electrolyte in the fluid disposed therein;
or,wherein the bulk hydrodynamic resistance of the fluid and the electrical resistance in the at least one microscale cavity in the microfluidic device are regulated by concomitantly varying or selecting a concentration of the at least one bulk viscosity enhancer and a concentration of the at least one electrolyte disposed in the fluid therein.
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20. The method of claim 19, comprising providing at least one microchannel disposed in the microfluidic device, the at least one microchannel intersecting and fluidly communicating with the at least one microscale cavity, whereby regulating the electrical resistance in the at least one microscale cavity thereby regulates electrical resistance in the at least one microchannel.
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21. The method of claim 20, comprising regulating the bulk hydrodynamic resistance, the electrical resistance, or both, of a fluid in the at least one microscale cavity during operation of the microfluidic device.
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22. A device or system, comprising:
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a body structure comprising at least one microscale cavity extending therefrom; and
,the at least one microscale cavity containing a fluid comprising an analyte and at least one bulk viscosity enhancer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A device or system, comprising:
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a body structure having at least one microscale cavity fabricated therein; and
,the at least one microscale cavity containing a fluid comprising an analyte, at least one bulk viscosity enhancer, and at least one electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification