Devices and methods for holding microfluidic devices

• US 8,282,896 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
• Inventors: Facer, Geoffrey Richard, Nassef, Hany Ramaz
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Dennis M
• Application Number:
  US12/573,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20100183481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 422/102, 422/103, 422/104, 422/52, 422/63, 422/64, 422/82.05, 422/82.08, 422/82.09, 422/82.11, 422/99, 422/407, 422/425, 422/426, 422/429, 422/500, 422/501, 422/502, 422/503, 422/504, 435/164, 435/165, 435/283.1, 435/286.4, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/288.3, 435/288.4, 435/288.5, 435/288.7, 435/4, 435/5, 435/6.11, 435/6.12, 435/6.19, 435/7.1, 435/7.2, 435/7.9, 435/29, 436/149, 436/164, 436/165, 436/166, 436/172, 436/174, 436/180, 436/518, 436/524, 436/805, 436/809, 117/200, 117/201, 117/206, 117/216, 356/450, 506/3, 506/7, 506/9, 506/10, 506/32, 506/39
• US Class Current: 422/502
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0081 Plurality of modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00891 Feeding or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0095 Control aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/105 using desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/00 Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 117/10 Apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 117/1004 with means for measuring, testing, or sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 117/1024 for crystallization from liquid or supercritical state
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 117/1064 including a fully-sealed or vacuum-maintained crystallization chamber [e.g., ampoule]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Carriers or holders for holding microfluidic devices are provided. Some of the carriers that are provided include a hydration control device and/or a source of controlled fluid pressure to facilitate use of the carrier in conducting various types of analyses.

Claims

1. A carrier for holding a microfluidic device comprising:

a housing, said housing defining a chamber therein and having a housing base including a receiving portion for receiving said microfluidic device, wherein said receiving portion includes at least one slot for guiding said microfluidic device when being inserted into said receiving portion of said housing;

a connection block for retaining said microfluidic device, wherein said connection block is attachable to said microfluidic device externally of said housing, and retains said microfluidic device, in said receiving portion of said housing; and

a flexible tubing in fluidic communication with said connection block.

2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said receiver further comprises one or more pipette supports for guiding a pipette tip into said microfluidic device when inserted into said receiving portion.

3. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising an accumulator for providing fluid under pressure to said microfluidic device when inserted into said receiving portion.

4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said accumulator further comprises a check valve.

5. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said accumulator is in fluid communication with said connection block through one or more accumulator-connection block tubes.

6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein said accumulator-connection block tubes is flexible.

7. The carrier of claim 5 wherein a first tube of said one or more accumulator-connection block tubes is in communication with said microfluidic device for controlling one or more first valves.

8. The carrier of claim 7 wherein said first valves are interface valves.

9. The carrier of claim 7 wherein a second tube of said one or more accumulator-connection block tubes is in communication with said microfluidic device for controlling one or more second valves.

10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein said second valves are containment valves.

11. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises said housing base and a housing cover.

12. The carrier of claim 11 further comprising an accumulator attached to said housing.

13. The carrier of claim 11 wherein said housing cover and said housing base are sealed together by a gasket.

14. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a humidity control material therein.

15. The carrier of claim 14 wherein said humidity control material is selected from the group consisting of a sponge, a gel matrix, a desiccant, and a woven material.

16. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said housing is made from a polymer.

17. The carrier of claim 16 wherein said polymer is either polycarbonate or acrylic or polystyrene.

18. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the connection block is attachable to said microfluidic device through one or more prongs.

19. The carrier of claim 18 wherein said one or more prongs is two or more prongs.

20. The carrier of claim 18 wherein at least one of said one or more prongs is a tube.

21. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said flexible tubing is in fluidic communication with a source of fluidic pressure.

22. The carrier of claim 21, wherein the source of fluidic pressure includes a pressurized gas.

23. A carrier system for a microfluidic device comprising:

the microfluidic device; and

a carrier for holding the microfluidic device, the carrier comprising;

a housing, said housing defining a chamber therein and having a housing base including a receiving portion for receiving said microfluidic device, wherein said receiving portion includes at least one slot for guiding said microfluidic device when being inserted into said receiving portion of said housing;

a connection block for retaining said microfluidic device, wherein said connection block is attachable to said microfluidic device externally of said housing, and retains said microfluidic device-in is insertable into said receiving portion of said housing; and

a flexible tubing in fluidic communication with said connection block.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising a source of pressure in fluidic a communication with the flexible tubing.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the source of fluidic pressure includes a pressurized gas.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the microfluidic device is loaded with at least a protein solution or a crystallization agent.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a plurality of chambers.