Systems and methods for thermal actuation of microfluidic devices
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a microfluidic device comprising a channel configured to receive a fluidic sample;
an electrical pathway comprising a solid element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the solid element having an electrical characteristic dependent on the temperature of the solid element;
an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway;
an electrical measurement device in electrical communication with the solid element and configured to obtain data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element; and
a computer-readable medium comprising executable software for operating the system, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises;
code to provide a first actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a first electrical current, selected so as to raise the temperature of the fluidic sample, flows through the solid element;
code to provide a second actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a second, lower electrical current flows through the solid element; and
code to receive data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element from the electrical measurement device.
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Abstract
A microfluidic processing device includes a substrate defining a microfluidic network. The substrate is in thermal communication with a plurality of N independently controllable components and a plurality of input output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller. Each component has at least two terminals. Each terminal is in electrical communication with at least one contact. The number of contacts required to independently control the N components is substantially less than the total number of terminals. Upon actuation, the components typically heat a portion of the microfluidic network and/or sense a temperature thereof.
343 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising a channel configured to receive a fluidic sample; an electrical pathway comprising a solid element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the solid element having an electrical characteristic dependent on the temperature of the solid element; an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway; an electrical measurement device in electrical communication with the solid element and configured to obtain data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element; and a computer-readable medium comprising executable software for operating the system, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises; code to provide a first actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a first electrical current, selected so as to raise the temperature of the fluidic sample, flows through the solid element; code to provide a second actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a second, lower electrical current flows through the solid element; and code to receive data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element from the electrical measurement device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising a channel configured to receive a fluidic sample; an electrical pathway comprising a solid element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the solid element having an electrical characteristic dependent on the temperature of the solid element; an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway, the electrical energy source having a first actuation state and a second actuation state, the first actuation state comprising a first current selected so as to raise the temperature of the fluidic sample; and an electrical measurement device in electrical communication with the solid element and configured to obtain data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling a fluidic sample in a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
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introducing the fluidic sample into the microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises; a channel configured to receive the fluidic sample; an electrical pathway comprising a solid element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the solid element having an electrical characteristic dependent on the temperature of the solid element; an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway, the electrical energy source having a first actuation state and a second actuation state; and an electrical measurement device in electrical communication with the solid element and configured to obtain data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element; causing the electrical energy source to operate in the first actuation state by applying a first electrical potential across the solid element, whereby a first electrical current, selected so as to raise the temperature of the fluidic sample, flows through the electrical pathway; causing the electrical energy source to operate in the second actuation state by applying a second electrical potential across the solid element, whereby a second, lower, electrical current flows through the electrical pathway; receiving data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element from the electrical measurement device; and determining a temperature of the fluidic sample based upon the data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element received from the electrical measurement device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification