Microfluidic devices and methods of use
First Claim
1. A microfluidic device comprising:
- a flow channel formed in an elastomeric material;
a pump configured to move fluid through the flow channel; and
a damper positioned along the flow channel downstream from the pump;
wherein the damper comprises one or more sealed chambers contained within the elastomeric material that each have no inlet, outlet, or valve,wherein the sealed chamber(s) overlie and are separated from the flow channel by a membrane that is configured to deflect outwards from the flow channel into the sealed chamber(s), thereby reducing or eliminating oscillations caused by the pump in pressure of a fluid moving through the flow channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic device comprises pumps, valves, and fluid oscillation dampers. In a device employed for sorting, an entity is flowed by the pump along a flow channel through a detection region to a junction. Based upon an identity of the entity determined in the detection region, a waste or collection valve located on opposite branches of the flow channel at the junction are actuated, thereby routing the entity to either a waste pool or a collection pool. A damper structure may be located between the pump and the junction. The damper reduces the amplitude of oscillation pressure in the flow channel due to operation of the pump, thereby lessening oscillation in velocity of the entity during sorting process. The microfluidic device may be formed in a block of elastomer material, with thin membranes of the elastomer material deflectable into the flow channel to provide pump or valve functionality.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a flow channel formed in an elastomeric material; a pump configured to move fluid through the flow channel; and a damper positioned along the flow channel downstream from the pump; wherein the damper comprises one or more sealed chambers contained within the elastomeric material that each have no inlet, outlet, or valve, wherein the sealed chamber(s) overlie and are separated from the flow channel by a membrane that is configured to deflect outwards from the flow channel into the sealed chamber(s), thereby reducing or eliminating oscillations caused by the pump in pressure of a fluid moving through the flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification