Reusable thin film particle sensor
First Claim
1. A microfluidic sensor, comprising:
- a plurality of stacked thin film substantially planar layers forming a cassette providing structure defining a fluid path disposed inside said sensor, said path comprising;
a first portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers;
a second portion provided by a tunnel passing through an interrogation layer, a constriction in said tunnel being sized to urge particles entrained in a carrier fluid into substantially single-file travel through a particle interrogation zone; and
a third portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers, said first portion and said third portion being disposed on opposite sides of said particle interrogation zone; and
a waste reservoir associated with said fluid path and structured to receive a plurality of individual and serially interrogated fluid samples.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers may carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by a tunnel passing through at least one layer. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to certain embodiments of the sensor. Sensors generally include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. Sensors may operate under the Coulter principle, and/or Stokes'"'"' shift phenomena. In certain embodiments, the sensor may be carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform. In any case, coupling desirably places the sensor in-circuit with operable interrogation structure, as well as with a fluid-flow control device. Structure included in a cartridge may provide fluid sample loading, routing, and storage capabilities.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microfluidic sensor, comprising:
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a plurality of stacked thin film substantially planar layers forming a cassette providing structure defining a fluid path disposed inside said sensor, said path comprising; a first portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers; a second portion provided by a tunnel passing through an interrogation layer, a constriction in said tunnel being sized to urge particles entrained in a carrier fluid into substantially single-file travel through a particle interrogation zone; and a third portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers, said first portion and said third portion being disposed on opposite sides of said particle interrogation zone; and a waste reservoir associated with said fluid path and structured to receive a plurality of individual and serially interrogated fluid samples. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for interrogating particles entrained in a carrier fluid, comprising:
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a) providing a microfluidic test cassette comprising; a plurality of stacked thin film substantially planar layers forming a cassette providing structure defining a fluid path disposed inside said sensor, said path comprising; a first portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers; a second portion provided by a tunnel passing through an interrogation layer, a constriction in said tunnel being sized to urge particles entrained in a carrier fluid into substantially single-file travel through a particle interrogation zone; and a third portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers, said first portion and said third portion being disposed on opposite sides of said particle interrogation zone; b) loading a first fluid sample into said cassette; c) installing said cassette in operable registration, at a first orientation, with an interrogation device; d) urging flow of said first fluid sample through said cassette while using said interrogation device to interrogate a portion of said first sample; e) removing said cassette from said interrogation device; f) loading a second fluid sample into said cassette; g) re-installing said cassette in operable registration, at a second orientation, with said interrogation device; and h) urging flow of said second fluid sample through said cassette while using said interrogation device to interrogate a portion of said second sample.
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18. A method for interrogating particles entrained in a carrier fluid, comprising:
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a) providing a microfluidic test cassette comprising; a plurality of stacked thin film substantially planar layers forming a cassette providing structure defining a fluid path disposed inside said sensor, said path comprising; a first portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers; a second portion provided by a tunnel passing through an interrogation layer, a constriction in said tunnel being sized to urge particles entrained in a carrier fluid into substantially single-file travel through a particle interrogation zone; and a third portion disposed parallel to, and within, said layers, said first portion and said third portion being disposed on opposite sides of said particle interrogation zone; certain of said layers carrying one or more electrode to dispose a plurality of electrodes in a 3-dimensional array in space;
said electrodes comprising;a first stimulated electrode disposed for contact with fluid in said first portion; a second stimulated electrode disposed for contact with fluid in said third portion; and a first interrogation electrode disposed for contact with fluid between said first stimulated electrode and said second stimulated electrode; b) interrogating a plurality of fluid samples in series; and c) electrically monitoring a health-indicating parameter of said cassette between at least two of said samples. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification