Open-field serial to parallel converter

• US 7,208,320 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences Incorporated (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bousse, Luc J., Manz, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon; Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US10/318,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 204450-451, 204600-601, 422/70, 422/100, 422/99, 422/102, 422/101, 436/180, 436/53
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00599 Solution-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00657 One-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0673 Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid
• 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 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/089 Virtual walls for guiding liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0403 specific forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0415 electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502784 specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics automatic analysis using a stream of discrete samples in a tube system G01N35/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 with formation of a segmented stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Microfluidic devices and systems for affecting the serial to parallel conversion of materials introduced into the device or system. Material or materials to be converted from a serial orientation, e.g., a single channel, into a parallel orientation, e.g., multiple channels, are introduced into an open chamber or field in which containing flows of materials maintain the cohesiveness of the sample material plugs serially introduced into the open chamber. The sample material or materials are then redirected in the chamber toward and into a plurality of parallel channels that also communicate with the chamber.

Claims

1. A method of converting a serial flow of materials into a parallel flow of materials, the method comprising:

providing a body having disposed therein an open field chamber having at least first and second sides opposite one another and a third side not opposite either the first or second side, wherein a first plurality of channels is fluidly connected to the first side of the chamber at periodic intervals, wherein a second plurality of channels is fluidly connected to the second side of the chamber at periodic intervals, and wherein a sample introduction channel and a plurality of containing flow channels are fluidly connected to the third side of the chamber;

serially introducing a plurality of discrete quantities of one or more sample materials into the chamber from the sample introduction channel; and

directing flow of the discrete quantities of sample material from the chamber into the second plurality of channels, at least a subset of the second plurality of channels being parallel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing flow of the discrete quantities of one or more sample materials into the second plurality of channels comprises directing flow of a carrier material from each of the first plurality of channels into the chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing flow of the discrete quantities of one or more sample materials into the second plurality of channels comprises applying a potential difference between the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels through the chamber.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least the subset of the second plurality of channels has disposed therein a separation medium, and further comprising separating the sample material in the subset of the second plurality of channels into one or more constituent elements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing flow of the discrete quantities of one or more sample materials comprises applying a pressure difference between the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels through the chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing step comprises introducing a plurality of discrete quantities of the same sample material into the chamber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing step comprises introducing a plurality of discrete quantities of different sample materials into the chamber.