Multi-reservoir pressure control system
DCFirst Claim
1. A microfluidic system comprising:
- a body defining a microfluidic channel network and a plurality of reservoirs in fluid communication with the network, the network including a channel;
a plurality of pressure modulators, each pressure modulator providing a selectably variable pressure; and
a plurality of pressure transmission lumens, the lumens transmitting the pressures from the pressure modulators to the reservoirs so as to induce a desired flow within the channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved microfluidic devices, systems, and methods allow selective transportation of fluids within microfluidic channels of a microfluidic network by applying, controlling, and varying pressures at a plurality of reservoirs. Modeling the microfluidic network as a series of nodes connected together by channel segments and determining the flow resistance characteristics of the channel segments may allow calculation of fluid flows through the channel segments resulting from a given pressure configuration at the reservoirs. To effect a desired flow within a particular channel or series of channels, reservoir pressures may be identified using the network model. Viscometers or other flow sensors may measure flow characteristics within the channels, and the measured flow characteristics can be used to calculate pressures to generate a desired flow. Multi-reservoir pressure modulator and pressure controller systems can optionally be used in conjunction with electrokinetic or other fluid transport mechanisms.
289 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A microfluidic system comprising:
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a body defining a microfluidic channel network and a plurality of reservoirs in fluid communication with the network, the network including a channel;
a plurality of pressure modulators, each pressure modulator providing a selectably variable pressure; and
a plurality of pressure transmission lumens, the lumens transmitting the pressures from the pressure modulators to the reservoirs so as to induce a desired flow within the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A microfluidic method comprising:
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transmitting a first plurality of pressures to an associated plurality of reservoirs using a plurality of pressure transmission systems;
inducing a first flow within a first microfluidic channel of a microfluidic network in response to the first pressures;
determining a second plurality of pressures so as to effect a desired second flow within the first microfluidic channel;
applying the determined second plurality of pressures with the pressure transmission systems; and
inducing the second flow within the first microfluidic channel with the second pressures. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification