Moving microdroplets in a microfluidic device
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
- a microfluidic network, wherein the microfluidic network comprises several modules, including;
an enrichment module configured to accept a particle-containing fluid sample, and to create an enriched sample therefrom;
a microdroplet preparation module configured to receive the enriched sample and to create a microdroplet therefrom;
a cell lysing module configured to lyse the microdroplet of enriched sample;
a mixing module configured to mix one or more reagents and the enriched sample; and
a DNA manipulation module configured to receive the enriched sample mixed with one or more reagents;
wherein the several modules are operatively connected to one another by one or more channels; and
wherein at least one of the several modules is isolatable by a valve; and
wherein at least one actuator is configured to move a microdroplet of fluid from one of the several modules to another of the several modules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and method for moving samples, such as fluid, within a microfluidic system using a plurality of gas actuators for applying pressure at different locations within the microfluidic. The system includes a substrate which forms a fluid network through which fluid flows, and a plurality of gas actuators integral with the substrate. One such gas actuator is coupled to the network at a first location for providing gas pressure to move a microfluidic sample within the network. Another gas actuator is coupled to the network at a second location for providing gas pressure to further move at least a portion of the microfluidic sample within the network. A valve is coupled to the microfluidic network so that, when the valve is closed, it substantially isolates the second gas actuator from the first gas actuator.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a microfluidic network, wherein the microfluidic network comprises several modules, including; an enrichment module configured to accept a particle-containing fluid sample, and to create an enriched sample therefrom; a microdroplet preparation module configured to receive the enriched sample and to create a microdroplet therefrom; a cell lysing module configured to lyse the microdroplet of enriched sample; a mixing module configured to mix one or more reagents and the enriched sample; and a DNA manipulation module configured to receive the enriched sample mixed with one or more reagents; wherein the several modules are operatively connected to one another by one or more channels; and
wherein at least one of the several modules is isolatable by a valve; and
wherein at least one actuator is configured to move a microdroplet of fluid from one of the several modules to another of the several modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification