Microfluidic systems with inter-channel impedances

• US 6,755,211 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
• Inventors: Dantsker, Eugene, Pezzuto, Marci, OʼConnor, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/405,109
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 137/833, 137/827, 137/565.17, 137/554, 137/315.01, 251/368
• US Class Current: 137/554
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0621 Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
• 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 2300/0874 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 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 1/02 Details , e.g. special constructional devices for circuits with fluid elements, such as resistances, capacitive circuit elements; devices preventing reaction coupling in composite elements servomotor systems adapted for maintaining constant speed F15B11/05; Switch boards; Programme devices hydraulic programme control F15B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/02 in pipes or conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0017 Capillary or surface tension valves, e.g. using electro-wetting or electro-capillarity effects
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0028 Valves having multiple inlets or outlets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0049 using an electroactive polymer [EAP]
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0055 actuated by fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0057 the fluid being the circulating fluid itself, e.g. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0491 : Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
• 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 137/598 : With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 : Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86035 : Combined with fluid receiver

Abstract

Microfluidic systems and devices having integrated fluidic impedances are provided. Such impedances hinder the passage of fluid at low differential pressures, but allow fluid flow at higher differential pressures. Impedances are formed at the overlap of two or more microfluidic channels contained in different layers of a device. Such devices can be rapidly prototyped and can be assembled to contain multiple fluidic impedances to perform complex fluid handling tasks, including the metering of small aliquots from a larger fluid volume. Various means may be used to overcome the fluidic impedances.

Claims

1. A fluidic system comprising:

at least three device layers;

a first microfluidic channel defined in a first device layer of the at least three layers;

a second microfluidic channel defined in a second device layer of the at least three device layers;

a first overlap region providing a first passive impedance to fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel;

means for causing fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel through the first overlap region.

2. The fluidic system of claim 1 wherein the at least three device layers comprises at least one stencil layer.

3. The fluidic system of claim 1 wherein the first microfluidic channel is defined through the entire thickness of the first device layer, and the second microfluidic channel is defined through the entire thickness of the second device layer.

4. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fluidic ports in fluid communication with the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel.

5. The fluidic system of claim 4 wherein:

the plurality of fluidic ports comprises a first port and a second port; and

the flow causing means are selected from the group consisting of;

positive pressure means applied to any of the first port and the second port; and

negative pressure means applied to any of the first port and the second port.

6. The fluidic system of claim 1 wherein the flow causing means includes electrokinetic means.

7. The fluidic system of claim 1 wherein the flow causing means comprises a plurality of valves.

8. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third microfluidic channel defined in the second device layer,

a second overlap region providing a second passive impedance to fluid flow between the third microfluidic channel and the first microfluidic channel; and

means for causing fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the third microfluidic channel through the second overlap region.

9. The fluidic system of claim 6 wherein the first passive impedance and the second passive impedance are substantially the same.

10. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third microfluidic channel defined in a third device layer of the plurality of device layers,

a second overlap region providing a second passive impedance to fluid flow between the third microfluidic channel and the first microfluidic channel; and

means for causing fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the third microfluidic channel through the second overlap region.

11. The fluidic system of claim 7 wherein the first passive impedance and the second passive impedance are substantially the same.

12. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a detection region in sensory communication with any of the first channel and the second channel.

13. The fluidic system of claim 1 wherein the detection region is adapted to permit optical detection or electrochemical detection.

14. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising a flow sensor in sensory communication with the first channel or the second channel.

15. The fluidic system of claim 1, further comprising at least one spacer layer disposed between the first device layer and the second device layer, wherein the first overlap region includes an aperture defined in the at least one spacer layer.

16. A fluidic system comprising:

a plurality of device layers;

a plurality of microfluidic channels defined in the plurality of device layers, including at least a first microfluidic channel, a second microfluidic channel, and a third microfluidic channel;

a first overlap region providing a first passive impedance to fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel;

a second overlap region providing a second passive impedance to fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the third microfluidic channel;

first means for causing fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel; and

second means for causing fluid flow between the first microfluidic channel and the third microfluidic channel.

17. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein the first microfluidic channel is defined through the entire thickness of a first device layer of the plurality of device layers, and the second microfluidic channel is defined through the entire thickness of a second device layer of the plurality of device layers.

18. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means are integrated.

19. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein any of the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means comprises a pump.

20. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein any of the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means comprises a vacuum source.

21. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein any of the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means comprises at least one electrically conductive material for promoting electrokinetic flow.

22. The fluidic system of claim 16, wherein any of the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means comprises a plurality of valves.

23. The fluidic system of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of fluidic ports in fluid communication with the first microfluidic channel, the second microfluidic channel, and the third microfluidic channel.

24. The fluidic system of claim 23 wherein any of the first flow causing means and the second flow causing means are selected from the group consisting of:

positive pressure applied to any fluidic port of the plurality of fluidic ports, and negative pressure applied to any fluidic port of the plurality of fluidic ports.

25. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein the first passive impedance and the second passive impedance are substantially the same.

26. The fluidic system of claim 16, further comprising a detection region in sensory communication with any of the first channel and the second channel.

27. The fluidic system of claim 16 wherein the detection region is adapted to permit optical detection or electrochemical detection.

28. The fluidic system of claim 16, further comprising a flow sensor in sensory communication with the first channel or the second channel.