Methods and apparatus for the manipulation of particle suspensions and testing thereof
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a microfluidic device having a plurality of trapping areas configured to trap a cell, wherein each trapping area includes a first channel and a plurality of second channels intersecting the first channel, wherein the first channel and the plurality of second channels are horizontal channels defined in part by a common surface, and wherein the first channel has a first height and the plurality of second channels have a second height, less than the first height, wherein at least one of the plurality of second channels is a horizontal channel configured to connect the first channel to a reservoir;
a well plate bonded to the microfluidic device, wherein the well plate defines a plurality of wells, wherein a respective grouping of the plurality of wells is associated with each of the trapping areas, and wherein each respective grouping includes a first well in fluid communication with the first channel and a plurality of second wells each in communication with a respective one of the plurality of second channels; and
an interface coupled to the well plate, wherein the interface is configured for individually addressing the first well and the plurality of second wells within at least one of the respective groupings, and wherein the interface is configured to apply pneumatic pressures to the first well and at least one of the second wells sufficient to move a fluid within the microfluidic device.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.
186 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a microfluidic device having a plurality of trapping areas configured to trap a cell, wherein each trapping area includes a first channel and a plurality of second channels intersecting the first channel, wherein the first channel and the plurality of second channels are horizontal channels defined in part by a common surface, and wherein the first channel has a first height and the plurality of second channels have a second height, less than the first height, wherein at least one of the plurality of second channels is a horizontal channel configured to connect the first channel to a reservoir; a well plate bonded to the microfluidic device, wherein the well plate defines a plurality of wells, wherein a respective grouping of the plurality of wells is associated with each of the trapping areas, and wherein each respective grouping includes a first well in fluid communication with the first channel and a plurality of second wells each in communication with a respective one of the plurality of second channels; and an interface coupled to the well plate, wherein the interface is configured for individually addressing the first well and the plurality of second wells within at least one of the respective groupings, and wherein the interface is configured to apply pneumatic pressures to the first well and at least one of the second wells sufficient to move a fluid within the microfluidic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising; a substrate; a main flow channel having a first height in said substrate adapted to hold cells in a fluidic medium; at least one lateral opening in a side of said main flow channel; at least one horizontal trapping channel in said substrate operatively connected to said lateral opening, wherein the horizontal trapping channel has a second height less than the first height, and wherein the main flow channel, the at least one lateral opening, and the at least one horizontal trapping channel are defined in part by a same surface; and at least two electrical connections on a same side of said substrate, one connected to said main flow channel and one connected to said trapping channel; wherein a particle in the main flow channel can be immobilized at said lateral opening by negative pressure in the trapping channel; at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the microfluidic device, wherein said at least one reservoir comprises at least a portion of a wellplate, wherein the wellplate is bonded to the microfluidic device; and a pneumatic interface coupled to the microfluidic device, wherein the interface is adapted for moving material within the microfluidic device at least in part by applying a pressure to an air-fluid interface in the reservoir, wherein said interface is configured to provide simultaneous pressure connections to individual wells of the wellplate. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification