Microfluidic device

• US 8,891,084 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Corporation Of America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Corporation Of America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Durack, Gary P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Tarifur
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, Sunghee Y
• Application Number:
  US12/831,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20110008767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 356244-246
• US Class Current: 356/417
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/025 for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics antimicrobial activity C12Q1/18

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices allow light collection from multiple directions. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices use spatial intensity modulation. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have magnetic field separators. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have the ability to stack. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have 3-D hydrodynamic focusing to align sperm cells. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have acoustic energy couplers. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have phase variation producing lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have transmissive and reflective lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have integrally-formed optics. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have non-integral geographically selective reagent delivery structures. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides with reflective surfaces incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have virus detecting and sorting capabilities. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices display a color change to indicate use or a result.

Claims

1. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising;

a substrate;

a first microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said first flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of first cells flowing in said first flow channel; and

a second microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said second flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of second cells flowing in said second flow channel;

b) producing an excitation beam aimed at said first and second flow channels;

c) spatially varying said excitation beam in a first patterned manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said first flow channel such that a first patterned excitation beam illuminates said first flow channel; and

d) spatially varying said excitation beam in a second patterned manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said second flow channel such that a second patterned excitation beam illuminates said second flow channel.

2. A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfludic device comprising;

a substrate;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel;

a sample reception well formed onboard said substrate, said sample reception well being fluidically coupled to said flow channel; and

an electromagnet disposed onboard said substrate and operative when energized to produce a magnetic field within said sample reception well;

b) labeling a first portion of said particles with labels that respond to said magnetic field, thereby creating labeled particles and non-labeled particles;

c) labeling a second portion of said particles with labels that fluoresce when excited by an appropriate radiation source, wherein said second portion is less than all of said particles;

d) introducing said particles into said sample reception well such that said labeled first portion of particles are moved by said magnetic field;

e) causing at least a portion of particles, selected from the group consisting of;

said labeled particles and said non-labeled particles, to enter said flow channel; and

f) performing flow cytometry analysis on said portion of particles in said flow channel.

3. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate through said top surface cytometry analysis of cells flowing in said flow channel; and

at least one leg positioned on said bottom surface of said substrate, said at least one leg facilitating stacking said microfluidic device on another microfluidic device.