Reagent storage in microfluidic systems and related articles and methods
First Claim
1. A fluidic device comprising:
- an article comprising first and second surfaces;
one or more first microfluidic channel segments formed in the first surface of the article;
one or more second microfluidic channel segments formed in the second surface of the article;
one or more intervening channels passing through the article from the first surface to the second surface and connecting the one or more first microfluidic channel segments and the one or more second microfluidic channel segments;
a first fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of one of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments;
a second fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of one of the one or more first or second a third fluid positioned between, and substantially immiscible with, the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is a gas bubble or a gaseous bubble;
microfluidic channel segments;
a fluid-tight seal covering an inlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; and
a fluid-tight seal covering an outlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments,wherein the fluid-tight seal covering the inlet and the fluid-tight seal covering the outlet are adapted and arranged to prevent or reduce evaporation and/or contamination of the first or second fluid reagents,wherein the first and second fluids are separated by at least one intervening channel, and wherein the at least one intervening channel is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents,wherein the fluidic device is adapted and arranged to statically maintain the first and second fluid reagents for greater than one day, andwherein the fluidic device is adapted and arranged to store the first and second reagents in the device for a period of at least one week.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluidic devices and methods including those that provide storage and/or facilitate fluid handling of reagents are provided. Fluidic devices described herein may include channel segments positioned on two sides of an article, optionally connected by an intervening channel passing through the article. The channel segments may be used to store reagents in the device prior to first use by an end user. The stored reagents may include fluid plugs positioned in linear order so that during use, as fluids flow to a reaction site, they are delivered in a predetermined sequence. The specific geometries of the channel segments and the positions of the channel segments within the fluidic devices described herein may allow fluid reagents to be stored for extended periods of time without mixing, even during routine handling of the devices such as during shipping of the devices, and when the devices are subjected to physical shock or vibration.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A fluidic device comprising:
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an article comprising first and second surfaces; one or more first microfluidic channel segments formed in the first surface of the article; one or more second microfluidic channel segments formed in the second surface of the article; one or more intervening channels passing through the article from the first surface to the second surface and connecting the one or more first microfluidic channel segments and the one or more second microfluidic channel segments; a first fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of one of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments; a second fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of one of the one or more first or second a third fluid positioned between, and substantially immiscible with, the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is a gas bubble or a gaseous bubble;
microfluidic channel segments;a fluid-tight seal covering an inlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; and a fluid-tight seal covering an outlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments, wherein the fluid-tight seal covering the inlet and the fluid-tight seal covering the outlet are adapted and arranged to prevent or reduce evaporation and/or contamination of the first or second fluid reagents, wherein the first and second fluids are separated by at least one intervening channel, and wherein the at least one intervening channel is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the fluidic device is adapted and arranged to statically maintain the first and second fluid reagents for greater than one day, and wherein the fluidic device is adapted and arranged to store the first and second reagents in the device for a period of at least one week. - 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, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A fluidic device comprising:
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an article comprising first and second surfaces; one or more first microfluidic channel segments formed in the first surface of the article; one or more second microfluidic channel segments formed in the second surface of the article; one or more intervening channels passing through the article from the first surface to the second surface and connecting the one or more first microfluidic channel segments and the one or more second microfluidic channel segments; a first fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of one of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments or in at least a portion of one of the one or more intervening channels; a second fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments or in at least a portion of the one or more intervening channels; a third fluid positioned between, and substantially immiscible with, the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is a gas bubble or a gaseous bubble; an inlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; an outlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; a first cover positioned over the one or more first microfluidic channel segments so as to substantially enclose the one or more first microfluidic channel segments; a second cover positioned over the one or more second microfluidic channel segments so as to substantially enclose the one or more second microfluidic channel segments a fluid-tight seal covering the inlet; and a fluid-tight seal covering the outlet, wherein the fluid-tight seal covering the inlet and the fluid-tight seal covering the outlet are adapted and arranged to prevent or reduce evaporation and/or contamination of the first or second fluid reagents. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A fluidic device comprising:
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an article comprising first and second surfaces; one or more first microfluidic channel segments formed in the first surface of the article; one or more second microfluidic channel segments formed in the second surface of the article; one or more intervening channels passing through the article from the first surface to the second surface and connecting the one or more first microfluidic channel segments and the one or more second microfluidic channel segments; a first fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments or in at least a portion of the one or more intervening channels; a second fluid reagent stored in at least a portion of the one or more first or second microfluidic channel segments or in at least a portion of the one or more intervening channels; a third fluid positioned between, and substantially immiscible with, the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is configured to prevent or substantially reduce mixing between the first and second fluid reagents, wherein the third fluid is a gas bubble or a gaseous bubble; an inlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; an outlet in fluid communication with the one or more first and second microfluidic channel segments; a first cover positioned over the one or more first microfluidic channel segments so as to substantially enclose the one or more first microfluidic channel segments; a second cover positioned over the one or more second microfluidic channel segments so as to substantially enclose the one or more second microfluidic channel segments a fluid-tight seal covering the inlet; and a fluid-tight seal covering the outlet, wherein the fluid-tight seal covering the inlet and the fluid-tight seal covering the outlet are adapted and arranged to prevent or reduce evaporation and/or contamination of the first or second fluid reagents, and wherein the fluidic device is adapted and arranged to store the first and second reagents in the device for a period of at least one week.
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Specification