Apparatus and methods for on-chip monitoring of cellular reactions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for on-chip monitoring of cellular reactions comprising:
- a surface formed with a plurality of channels for fluid flow and a first inlet for supplying a cell bearing fluid to a first of said channels, wherein a second of said channels extends parallel and adjacent to said first channel for at least a part of their length defining a plurality of separate spaced-apart zones and wherein said first channel and said second channel are separated over said at least one part of their length by a wall defining a plurality of separate spaced-apart dams, said wall comprising a first height and said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams comprising a second height and wherein said second height is lower than said first height, a respective one of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams being disposed in a respective one of said plurality of separate spaced-apart zones, over which said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams fluid flows from said first channel into said second channel, and wherein said wall disposed between adjacent ones of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams is operable to inhibit the flow of fluid from said first channel to said second channel between said spaced-apart zones; and
a dilution channel for supplying a reagent, said dilution channel being bifurcated and intersecting with said first channel at two of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams forming a first dilution intersection at the junction of said first channel and one of said bifurcated channels and a second dilution intersection at the junction of said first channel and another of said bifurcated channels for generating a concentration gradient of the reagent within said first channel whereby the reagent concentration varies in the direction of fluid flow in said first channel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for on-chip monitoring of cellular reactions, and in particular to such an apparatus and method that enables soft-docking of cells by using a dam wall that is parallel to the direction of fluid flow. The invention further relates to an apparatus and method capable of generating a controlled concentration gradient, and in particular a concentration gradient such that the cells are aligned in the direction of the concentration gradient after docking.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for on-chip monitoring of cellular reactions comprising:
-
a surface formed with a plurality of channels for fluid flow and a first inlet for supplying a cell bearing fluid to a first of said channels, wherein a second of said channels extends parallel and adjacent to said first channel for at least a part of their length defining a plurality of separate spaced-apart zones and wherein said first channel and said second channel are separated over said at least one part of their length by a wall defining a plurality of separate spaced-apart dams, said wall comprising a first height and said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams comprising a second height and wherein said second height is lower than said first height, a respective one of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams being disposed in a respective one of said plurality of separate spaced-apart zones, over which said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams fluid flows from said first channel into said second channel, and wherein said wall disposed between adjacent ones of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams is operable to inhibit the flow of fluid from said first channel to said second channel between said spaced-apart zones; and a dilution channel for supplying a reagent, said dilution channel being bifurcated and intersecting with said first channel at two of said plurality of separate spaced-apart dams forming a first dilution intersection at the junction of said first channel and one of said bifurcated channels and a second dilution intersection at the junction of said first channel and another of said bifurcated channels for generating a concentration gradient of the reagent within said first channel whereby the reagent concentration varies in the direction of fluid flow in said first channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification