Method and device for controlled laminar flow patterning within a channel

• US 9,103,502 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Beebe, David J., Warrick, Jay, Barthler, Erwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wecker, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US13/450,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20130276890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 422/68.1, 422502-507
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/084 Passive control of flow resistance
• 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: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502776 specially adapted for focusing or laminating flows
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 3/00 Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers

Abstract

A device and method of laminar flow patterning of at least one sample fluid in a main channel in a microfluidic device are provided. A first input channel is provided in the microfluidic device. The first input channel has an output end communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end communicating with a first input port. A buffer fluid is deposited in the main channel and the first input channel and a first sample fluid is deposited in the first input port. A first pressure is generated in response to the depositing of the first sample fluid in the first input port so as to cause laminar flow of the first sample fluid in the main channel.

Claims

1. A device for controlled laminar flow patterning of at least one sample fluid, comprising:

a body defining a channel network, the channel network including;

a main channel extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end defining an output port;

a first input port, the first input port adapted for receiving a first sample fluid of the of at least one sample fluid and for introducing the first sample fluid into the channel network;

a first input channel having an output end interconnected to and communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end interconnected to and communicating with the first input port, the first input channel having a fluidic resistance;

a fluidic capacitor for receiving a buffer find having a surface tension therein; and

a first buffering channel having a first end directly interconnected to and communicating with the first input port and a second end interconnected to and communicating with the fluidic capacitor, the first buffering channel configured to have a fluidic resistance less than the fluidic resistance of the first input channel such that the first sample fluid received at the first input port initially flows into the first buffering channel;

wherein the surface tension of the buffer fluid in the fluidic capacitor causes the first sample fluid in the first buffering channel to flow through the first input channel and laminarly in the main channel; and

the main channel is free of diffusion ports between the first and second ends of thereof.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further includes a second input channel having an output end communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end communicating with the first input port, the second input channel having fluidic resistance.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further includes a second input channel having an output end communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end communicating with a second input port, the second input channel having fluidic resistance.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the fluid capacitor, the first input port and the second input port have cross sectional areas, and wherein the cross sectional area of the fluid capacitor is greater than the cross sectional areas of the first and second input ports.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first input channel has a cross sectional area, and wherein the first buffering channel has a cross sectional area greater than the cross sectional area of the first input channel.

6. A device for controlled laminar flow patterning of at least one sample fluid, comprising:

a body defining a channel network, the channel network including;

a main channel extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end defining an output port;

a first input channel having an output end interconnected to and communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end interconnected to and communicating with a first input port, the first input channel having a fluidic resistance;

a fluidic capacitor;

a first buffering channel having a first end directly interconnected to and communicating with the first input port and a second end interconnected to and communicating with the fluidic capacitor, the first buffering channel configured to have a fluidic resistance less than the fluidic resistance of the first input channel;

a second input channel having an output end interconnected to and communicating with the first end of the main channel and an input end interconnected to and communicating with a second input port, the second input channel having fluidic resistance; and

a second buffering channel having a first end directly interconnected to and communicating with the second input port and a second end interconnected to and communicating with the fluidic capacitor, the first buffering channel configured to have a fluidic resistance less than the fluidic resistance of the first input channel.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a buffering solution within the channel network and wherein:

the at least one sample fluid includes a first sample fluid and a second sample fluid; and

the fluidic capacitor urges laminar flow of the first and second sample fluids in the main channel in response to the asynchronous depositing of the first sample fluid in the first input port and the second sample fluid in the second input port.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein:

the first and second input channels have cross sectional areas;

the first and second buffering channels have cross sectional areas;

the cross sectional area of the first buffering channel is greater than the cross sectional area of the first input channel; and

the cross sectional area of the second buffering channel is greater than the cross sectional area of the second input channel.