Microfluidic rotary flow reactor matrix
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a plurality of flow channels defined within a first layer to form a matrix of rotary flow reactors;
a first set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by first membranes, the first membranes actuable to introduce fluids into the rotary flow reactors and to isolate the rotary flow reactors, and wherein the first set of control lines are defined in a second layer adjacent to the first layer; and
a second set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by second membranes, the second membranes actuable to cause peristaltic pumping of the fluids within the isolated rotary flow reactors, and wherein the second set of control lines are defined in a third layer adjacent to the first layer on a side opposite to the second layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device comprises a matrix of rotary flow reactors. The microfluidic matrix device offers a solution to the “world-to-chip” interface problem by accomplishing two important goals simultaneously: an economy of scale in reagent consumption is achieved, while simultaneously minimizing pipetting steps. N2 independent assays can be performed with only 2N+1 pipetting steps, using a single aliquot of enzyme amortized over all reactors. The chip reduces labor relative to conventional fluid handling techniques by using an order of magnitude less pipetting steps, and reduces cost by consuming two to three orders of magnitude less reagents per reaction. A PCR format has immediate applications in medical diagnosis and gene testing. Beyond PCR, the microfluidic matrix chip provides a universal and flexible platform for biological and chemical assays requiring parsimonious use of precious reagents and highly automated processing.
259 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a plurality of flow channels defined within a first layer to form a matrix of rotary flow reactors; a first set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by first membranes, the first membranes actuable to introduce fluids into the rotary flow reactors and to isolate the rotary flow reactors, and wherein the first set of control lines are defined in a second layer adjacent to the first layer; and a second set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by second membranes, the second membranes actuable to cause peristaltic pumping of the fluids within the isolated rotary flow reactors, and wherein the second set of control lines are defined in a third layer adjacent to the first layer on a side opposite to the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of conducting a chemical reaction, the method comprising:
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providing a microfluidic device comprising; a plurality of flow channels defined within a first layer to intersect and form a matrix of rotary flow reactors; a first set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by first membranes, wherein the first set of control lines are defined in a second layer adjacent to the first layer; a second set of control lines proximate to and separated from the flow channels by second membranes, wherein the second set of control lines are defined in a third layer adjacent to the first layer on a side opposite to the second layer; introducing first and second chemicals to the rotary flow reactors; applying pressure to the first set of control lines to actuate the first membranes to isolate the rotary flow reactors; and applying pressure to the second set of control lines to actuate the second membranes to cause peristaltic pumping of the fluids within the isolated rotary flow reactors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification