Three-dimensional microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional device for assay of a fluid sample, the device comprising at least first and second stacked, porous, hydrophilic layers each of which comprise a pattern of fluid-impermeable barriers that substantially permeate the thickness of the layer to define boundaries within each said layer of one or more porous hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers that wick fluids laterally by capillary action through the porous hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers;
- a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between said first and second layers defining one or more openings communicating vertically between hydrophilic regions in separate layers, said opening being in fluidic contact with at least one of said porous hydrophilic regions within each of said first and second layers;
a porous hydrophilic medium disposed in a said opening in fluidic contact with at least one of said hydrophilic regions within each of said first and second layers; and
one or more reagents disposed in fluid communication with a said hydrophilic region and with a detection zone in a hydrophilic region for colorimetrically detecting the presence of an analyte in a said detection zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Three-dimensional microfluidic devices including by a plurality of patterned porous, hydrophilic layers and a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between every two adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layers are described. Each patterned porous, hydrophilic layer has a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic regions within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. The fluid-impermeable layer has openings which are aligned with at least part of the hydrophilic region within at least one adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. Microfluidic assay device, microfluidic mixer, microfluidic flow control device are also described.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional device for assay of a fluid sample, the device comprising at least first and second stacked, porous, hydrophilic layers each of which comprise a pattern of fluid-impermeable barriers that substantially permeate the thickness of the layer to define boundaries within each said layer of one or more porous hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers that wick fluids laterally by capillary action through the porous hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers;
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a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between said first and second layers defining one or more openings communicating vertically between hydrophilic regions in separate layers, said opening being in fluidic contact with at least one of said porous hydrophilic regions within each of said first and second layers; a porous hydrophilic medium disposed in a said opening in fluidic contact with at least one of said hydrophilic regions within each of said first and second layers; and one or more reagents disposed in fluid communication with a said hydrophilic region and with a detection zone in a hydrophilic region for colorimetrically detecting the presence of an analyte in a said detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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15. The device of 1 wherein a said reagent comprises a protein assay reagent, a glucose assay reagent, a sodium acetoacetate assay reagent, a sodium nitrite assay reagent, or a combination thereof.
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19. A three-dimensional device for assay of a fluid sample, the device comprising at least first and second stacked, porous, hydrophilic layers each of which comprise a pattern of fluid-impermeable barriers that substantially permeate the thickness of the layer to define boundaries within each said layer of one or more hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers that wick fluids laterally by capillary action through porous flow channels;
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a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between said first and second layers defining one or more openings; an opening being bounded by spaced apart flow channels of hydrophilic regions in separate layers, at least a portion of one of said flow channel being capable of movement from a said spaced apart position into a second position in contact with the other said flow channel, wherein, in said spaced apart position, said one flow channel is not in fluidic communication with said other flow channel, and in said second, contact position, said one flow channel is in fluidic communication with said other flow channel through an opening; and one or more reagents disposed in fluid communication with a said hydrophilic region and with a detection zone in a hydrophilic region for detecting the presence of an analyte in a said detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A three-dimensional device for assay of a fluid sample, the device comprising at least first and second stacked, porous, hydrophilic layers each of which comprise a pattern of fluid-impermeable barriers that substantially permeate the thickness of the layer to define boundaries within each said layer of one or more hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers that wick fluids laterally by capillary action through the porous hydrophilic regions of said hydrophilic layers;
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a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between said first and second layers defining one or more openings communicating vertically between hydrophilic regions in separate layers; and disposed in a said opening in fluid communication with a said layer, a chemical or biological reagent, an indicator, a binder, a fluid flow-impeding agent, a fluid flow-promoting agent, magnetic particles, a gel which swells when in contact with fluid, a fluid-mixable material which dissolves when in contact with fluid to allow microfluidic communication, a salt which either absorbs heat or gives off heat when in contact with fluid, a low-melting-point hydrophobic material capable of melting and flowing at a pre-selected temperature to flow into and thereby obstruct microfluidic flow within a said hydrophilic region, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification