Microfluidic device
First Claim
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1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
- a substrate;
an inlet port formed in said substrate;
a microfluidic flow channel having a first end and a second end, said flow channel formed in said substrate, said inlet port fluidically coupled to said flow channel at an intermediate position between said first end and said second end, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;
a sterilization repository comprising a well formed in said substrate, said sterilization repository being fluidically coupled to said first end of said flow channel upstream from said inlet port; and
a substance disposed in said sterilization repository, said substance being operative to sterilize said flow channel when said substance flows from said sterilization repository into said flow channel.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices have onboard sterilization capabilities. In other embodiments, microfluidic devices have integral collection bags and methods for keeping the microfluidic channels clean.
65 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device, comprising:
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a substrate; an inlet port formed in said substrate; a microfluidic flow channel having a first end and a second end, said flow channel formed in said substrate, said inlet port fluidically coupled to said flow channel at an intermediate position between said first end and said second end, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; a sterilization repository comprising a well formed in said substrate, said sterilization repository being fluidically coupled to said first end of said flow channel upstream from said inlet port; and a substance disposed in said sterilization repository, said substance being operative to sterilize said flow channel when said substance flows from said sterilization repository into said flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising; a substrate; an inlet port formed in said substrate a flow channel formed in said substrate for transport of a liquid sample, said flow channel having a first end and a second end, said inlet port fluidically coupled to said flow channel at an intermediate position between said first end and said second end; a sterilization repository comprising a well formed in said substrate, said sterilization repository being fluidically coupled to said first end of said flow channel upstream of said inlet port; a sterilizing substance disposed within said sterilization repository; and a valve disposed between said sterilization repository and said flow channel; b) flowing said sample through said flow channel to a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of said particles in said sample; and c) opening said valve such that said sterilizing substance contained in said sterilization repository may flow through said flow channel, thereby sterilizing said flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification