Methods and systems for control of microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A system configured for controlling a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate comprising a micro-channel configured to contain a micro-volume of liquid having a volume between one nano-liter and one micro-liter, a reaction chamber, and an actuator comprising a grouping of active components, said active components configured for coordinated operation to achieve a desired functionality, the system comprising:
- memory comprising stored instructions corresponding to a user-selected reaction program, wherein the stored instructions comprise;
a user level function corresponding to the reaction program;
a microdroplet level function corresponding to an operation performed on a micro-volume of liquid contained within a microfluidic device;
an actuator level function corresponding to an actuator operation; and
a component level instruction directing the generation of a control signal for an individual component of the microfluidic device;
an interface configured for allowing an operator to select a desired reaction program for the microfluidic device, wherein the desired reaction program corresponds to a user level function comprising a microdroplet level function, wherein the microdroplet level function comprises an actuator level function, and the actuator level function comprises a component level function; and
control circuitry configured for creating and transmitting the control signal responsive to a component level function for controlling the component of the microfluidic device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system configured for controlling a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a substrate comprising a micro-channel configured to contain a micro-volume of liquid having a volume between one nano-liter and one micro-liter, a reaction chamber, and an actuator comprising a grouping of active components, said active components configured for coordinated operation to achieve a desired functionality, the system comprising:
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memory comprising stored instructions corresponding to a user-selected reaction program, wherein the stored instructions comprise; a user level function corresponding to the reaction program; a microdroplet level function corresponding to an operation performed on a micro-volume of liquid contained within a microfluidic device; an actuator level function corresponding to an actuator operation; and a component level instruction directing the generation of a control signal for an individual component of the microfluidic device; an interface configured for allowing an operator to select a desired reaction program for the microfluidic device, wherein the desired reaction program corresponds to a user level function comprising a microdroplet level function, wherein the microdroplet level function comprises an actuator level function, and the actuator level function comprises a component level function; and control circuitry configured for creating and transmitting the control signal responsive to a component level function for controlling the component of 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)
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Specification