Sealing interface for microfluidic device
First Claim
1. A fluidic system comprising:
- a microfluidic device having an outer surface defining a fluidic port, the device defining a fluid flow path and defining a first microfluidic channel having a first width and being disposed within the device at a first depth relative to the outer surface;
a fluidic seal adapted to seal against the outer surface adjacent to the fluidic port; and
a compression element adapted to move any of the fluidic seal and the outer surface;
wherein the first width is less than about two times the first depth; and
wherein the fluidic seal engages the first cover layer and exerts a contact pressure of at least about 10 pounds per square inch against at least a portion of the outer surface without substantially occluding the fluid flow path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A threadless interface for a fluidic system includes a microfluidic device having an outer surface and an internal near-surface channel having a first width and disposed at a first depth relative to the outer surface, with the first width being less than about two times the first depth. A fluidic seal engages the outer surface and exerts an elevated contact pressure against at least a portion of the outer surface without substantially occluding the channel. A preferred seal includes a raised boss. A fault tolerant flow path design can accommodate misalignment between adjacent device layers without detrimentally affecting fluid flow capability. The interface may be used in a microfluidic system for performing parallel analyses such as high performance liquid chromatography.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A fluidic system comprising:
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a microfluidic device having an outer surface defining a fluidic port, the device defining a fluid flow path and defining a first microfluidic channel having a first width and being disposed within the device at a first depth relative to the outer surface; a fluidic seal adapted to seal against the outer surface adjacent to the fluidic port; and a compression element adapted to move any of the fluidic seal and the outer surface; wherein the first width is less than about two times the first depth; and wherein the fluidic seal engages the first cover layer and exerts a contact pressure of at least about 10 pounds per square inch against at least a portion of the outer surface without substantially occluding the fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fluidic system comprising:
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a microfluidic device defining a fluid flow path, the device comprising a plurality of device layers including a first cover layer, a second cover layer, and a plurality of channel-defining stencil layers disposed between the first cover layer and the second cover layer, the first cover layer defining a plurality of fluid ports and the plurality of stencil layers including a first stencil layer disposed adjacent to the first cover layer; a fluidic seal adapted to seal against the first cover layer; a compression element adapted to move any of the fluidic seal and the first cover layer; wherein the first cover layer has a first thickness, the first stencil layer defines a first microfluidic channel having a first width and in fluid communication with a first port of the plurality of fluid ports, the first width being less than about two times the first thickness; and wherein the fluidic seal engages the first cover layer and exerts a contact pressure of at least about 10 pounds per square inch against at least a portion of the first cover layer without substantially occluding the fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A fluidic processing method comprising the steps of:
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providing a microfluidic device having an outer surface defining a fluidic port, the device defining a fluid flow path and defining a first microfluidic channel having a first width and being disposed within the device at a first depth relative to the outer surface, wherein the first width is less than about two times the first depth; providing a fluidic seal adapted to seal against the outer surface adjacent to the fluidic port; and establishing a contact pressure between at least a portion of the fluidic seal and at least a portion of the outer surface of at least about 10 pounds per square inch without substantially occluding the fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification