Method and apparatus for improved temperature control in microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A method of controlling temperature of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device having a top layer and a bottom layer and microchannels configured therebetween, said microfluidic device further comprising a plurality of reservoirs of heat transfer fluid, each reservoir being maintained at a controlled temperature, said method comprising flowing heat transfer fluid from one or more of said reservoirs to said top layer or said bottom layer or to both said top and bottom layers of said microfluidic device.
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Abstract
A microfluidic system and method for employing it to control fluid temperatures of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device is provided with a top layer and a bottom layer and microchannels configured therebetween. Temperature of the fluid within the microchannels is controlled in various ways including the use of electrical resistive heating elements and by providing zones located in contact with the top and bottom layers of the microfluidic device for circulating heat transfer of fluid therein.
117 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A method of controlling temperature of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device having a top layer and a bottom layer and microchannels configured therebetween, said microfluidic device further comprising a plurality of reservoirs of heat transfer fluid, each reservoir being maintained at a controlled temperature, said method comprising flowing heat transfer fluid from one or more of said reservoirs to said top layer or said bottom layer or to both said top and bottom layers of said microfluidic device.
- 12. A method of controlling temperature of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device having a top layer and a bottom layer and a plurality of substantially parallel microchannels configured therebetween, said method comprising controlling temperature of said fluids residing within said microchannels by creating non-uniform spacing between said plurality of microchannels to enhance uniformity of temperature of said fluids residing within said plurality of microchannels.
- 14. A method of controlling temperature of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device having a top layer and a bottom layer and a plurality of substantially parallel microchannels configured therebetween and electrically resistive heating elements associated with said plurality of microchannels for transferring energy to said fluids residing therein, said method comprising controlling temperature of said fluids residing within said microchannels by creating non-uniform spacing between said electrically resistive heating elements to enhance uniformity of temperature of said fluids residing in said plurality of microchannels.
- 16. A method of controlling temperatures of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device having a top layer, bottom layer, longitudinal axis and a plurality of substantially parallel microchannels, each microchannel having a longitudinal axis configured therebetween and parallel to said longitudinal axis of said microfluidic device, said method comprising controlling temperature of said fluids residing within said microchannels by creating non-uniform channel dimensions along said longitudinal axis.
Specification