×

Method for manipulating a plurality of plugs and performing reactions therein in microfluidic systems

  • US 7,655,470 B2
  • Filed: 03/16/2005
  • Issued: 02/02/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for manipulating a plurality of plugs comprising:

  • introducing a first linear array of plugs of a first plug fluid into a microchannel within a microfluidic device at a first inlet with a first flow rate, wherein the plugs of the first plug fluid are separated from each other either by a first carrier fluid and/or by a spacer, and wherein the first carrier fluid and the spacer are substantially immiscible with the first plug fluid and with each other;

    introducing an aqueous stream into a second inlet adjacent to the first inlet and in fluid communication with the microchannel with a second flow rate such that a multi-component stream forms, the multi-component stream comprising a laminar flow of the first linear array of plugs and the aqueous stream; and

    introducing to the multi-component stream a stream of a second carrier fluid through a third inlet downstream of the first and second inlets with a third flow rate, the third inlet in fluid communication with the microchannel, such that a respective plug, or a portion thereof, of the first linear array of plugs combines with a portion of the aqueous stream to form a second linear array of plugs,wherein the second carrier fluid is substantially immiscible with the first plug fluid and the spacer.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×