Fluid mixing and delivery in microfluidic systems
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- providing a device comprising;
a first microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a first fluid;
a second microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a second fluid;
a main microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a third fluid, wherein the first and second microfluidic branching channels connect at an intersection and are fluidically connected to the main microfluidic channel; and
a vent valve positioned between a portion of the first microfluidic branching channel and a portion of the main microfluidic channel;
flowing the third fluid without substantially flowing the first or second fluids;
actuating the vent valve;
causing the first and second fluids to flow into the intersection substantially simultaneously; and
mixing at least portions of the first and second fluids to produce a mixed fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The specification generally discloses systems and methods for mixing and delivering fluids in microfluidic systems. The fluids can contain, in some embodiments reagents that can participate in one or more chemical or biological reactions. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods employing one or more vent valves to controllably flow and/or mix portions of fluid within the microfluidic system. Advantageously, fluid control such as a sequence of fluid flow and/or a change in flow rate, can be achieved by opening and closing one or more vent valves and by applying a single source of fluid flow (e.g., a vacuum) operated at a substantially constant pressure. This can simplify the operation and use of the device by an intended user.
148 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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providing a device comprising; a first microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a first fluid; a second microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a second fluid; a main microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a third fluid, wherein the first and second microfluidic branching channels connect at an intersection and are fluidically connected to the main microfluidic channel; and a vent valve positioned between a portion of the first microfluidic branching channel and a portion of the main microfluidic channel; flowing the third fluid without substantially flowing the first or second fluids; actuating the vent valve; causing the first and second fluids to flow into the intersection substantially simultaneously; and mixing at least portions of the first and second fluids to produce a mixed fluid. - 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, 24, 25)
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26. A method, comprising:
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providing a device comprising; an upstream microfluidic channel portion having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm; a first fluid stored in the upstream microfluidic channel portion, wherein the first fluid is a liquid; a downstream microfluidic channel portion having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm; a second fluid stored in the downstream microfluidic channel portion, wherein the second fluid is different from the first fluid and wherein the second fluid is a liquid; and a vent valve positioned between the upstream and downstream microfluidic channel portions; while the first and second fluids are in fluid communication with one another, flowing the second fluid in the downstream microfluidic channel portion without substantially flowing the first fluid; and flowing the first fluid from the upstream microfluidic channel portion to the downstream microfluidic channel portion after the flowing of the second fluid. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification