Apparatus for priming microfluidics devices with feedback control
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for priming a microchannel network in a microfluidics block with liquid, said apparatus comprising:
- a carrier having at least one reservoir and configured to receive said microfluidics block with said reservoir in fluid communication with said microchannel network;
a priming unit configured to enclose said carrier with said microfluidics block received within said carrier and to force liquid from said reservoir into said microchannel network, said priming unit comprising pressure applying means for applying pressure to said reservoir, means for detecting pressure so applied, and a feedback loop providing automated control of said pressure applying means based on pressure so detected to cause said priming unit to pressurize said reservoir at a pressure level and a pressurization time that will cause a selected amount of liquid to pass from said reservoir into said microchannel network.
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Abstract
A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.
108 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for priming a microchannel network in a microfluidics block with liquid, said apparatus comprising:
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a carrier having at least one reservoir and configured to receive said microfluidics block with said reservoir in fluid communication with said microchannel network; a priming unit configured to enclose said carrier with said microfluidics block received within said carrier and to force liquid from said reservoir into said microchannel network, said priming unit comprising pressure applying means for applying pressure to said reservoir, means for detecting pressure so applied, and a feedback loop providing automated control of said pressure applying means based on pressure so detected to cause said priming unit to pressurize said reservoir at a pressure level and a pressurization time that will cause a selected amount of liquid to pass from said reservoir into said microchannel network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification