Microfluidic devices for introducing and dispensing fluids from microfluidic systems

• US 6,951,632 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2001
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Inventors: Yi, Yong, Manger, Ian D., Unger, Marc A., Chou, Hou-Pu, Fernandes, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/998,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20020117517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 422/50, 422/55, 422/58, 422/68.1, 422/81, 422/82, 422/82.05, 422100-104, 436/43, 436/53, 436/54, 436/63, 251/129.01, 251/213, 137/1, 137/14, 204/193, 204/194, 435/283.1, 435/286.4, 435/286.5, 435/286.6, 435/287.1, 435/287.3
• US Class Current: 422/505
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/02 Burettes; Pipettes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• 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: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/006 Diffusion joining measures for intermixing the material of the joint interlayer B29C66/341
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 : Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 : Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 : comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 : comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1226 : comprising at least one bevelled joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/532 : Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/54 : Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/00 : Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/756 : Microarticles, nanoarticles
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/13 : Mechanical connectors, i.e. not functioning as an electrical connector
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0074 : using photolithography, e.g. etching
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/008 : Multi-layer fabrications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 : Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• 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 99/0015 : Diaphragm or membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0017 : Capillary or surface tension valves, e.g. using electro-wetting or electro-capillarity effects
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0048 : using piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0051 : using electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0059 : actuated by a pilot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 : Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 : Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 : with formation of a segmented stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 : with aspirator of claimed structure

Abstract

The present invention provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for using the same, which facilitate the introduction of fluid to and from a microfluidic channel located within the microfluidic devices.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device comprising:

a body structure comprising an elastomeric polymer substrate;

a microfluidic channel disposed within said elastomeric polymer substrate;

a port on a surface of said body structure and in fluid communication with said microfluidic channel for introducing or dispensing a fluid to or from said microfluidic channel;

a means for transporting the fluid to and from said microfluidic channel; and

at least one valve system which comprises;

a control channel disposed within said elastomeric polymer substrate; and

one or more valves operatively connected to said microfluidic channel to regulate fluid flow through said microfluidic channel, wherein each of said valves comprises a portion of said elastomeric polymer substrate that is located between said control channel and said microfluidic channel, and wherein each of said valves is capable of being deflected into or retractable from said microfluidic channel upon which said valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said valve, said valve when positioned in said microfluidic channel is capable of affecting fluid flow therethrough, wherein;

said means for transporting the fluid comprises a fluid pump comprising at least one of said valve system;

said fluid pump comprises a single control channel; and

said fluid pump control channel further comprises at least one capacitor which is capable of delaying actuation of said control channel.

2. A microfluidic device comprising:

(a) a body structure comprising an elastomeric polymer substrate;

(b) a microfluidic channel disposed within said elastomeric polymer substrate;

(c) a fluid inlet in fluid communication with said microfluidic channel; and

(d) a fluid pump for introducing or dispensing a fluid to or from said microfluidic channel through said port, wherein said fluid pump comprises;

(i) a fluid pump control channel disposed within said elastomeric polymer substrate; and

(ii) one or more pump valves operatively connected to said microfluidic channel to regulate fluid flow through said microfluidic channel, wherein each of said pump valves comprises a portion of said elastomeric polymer substrate that is located between said fluid pump control channel and said microfluidic channel, and wherein each of said pump valves is capable of being deflected into or retractable from said microfluidic channel upon which said fluid pump valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said fluid pump control channel, said fluid pump valve when positioned in said microfluidic channel is capable of affecting fluid flow therethrough, wherein;

said fluid pump comprises one fluid pump channel; and

said fluid pump channel comprises a plurality of capacitors which are capable of delaying actuation of said fluid pump control channel.