Fluid transport in microfluidic applications with sensors for detecting fluid presence and pressure
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- flowing a liquid into a channel of a microfluidic cassette filled with a gas, wherein the channel comprises an inlet section and an outlet section;
detecting the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof at a measuring location within the inlet section, wherein the measuring location has a first sensor configured to detect a signal indicative of a presence of the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof;
compressing the gas;
determining a pressure change of the gas within the channel; and
determining a volume of the liquid within the channel based on the pressure change of the gas.
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Abstract
A method includes flowing a liquid into a channel of a microfluidic cassette filled with a gas. The channel includes an inlet section and an outlet section. The method also includes detecting the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof at a measuring location within the inlet section. The measuring location has a first sensor that may detect a signal indicative of a presence of the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof. The method also includes compressing the gas, determining a pressure change of the gas within the channel, and determining a volume of the liquid within the channel based on the pressure change of the gas.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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flowing a liquid into a channel of a microfluidic cassette filled with a gas, wherein the channel comprises an inlet section and an outlet section; detecting the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof at a measuring location within the inlet section, wherein the measuring location has a first sensor configured to detect a signal indicative of a presence of the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof; compressing the gas; determining a pressure change of the gas within the channel; and determining a volume of the liquid within the channel based on the pressure change of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a microfluidic chip comprising; a first compartment configured to store a reagent and is fluidly coupled to a second compartment via a first channel; a metering chamber disposed along the first channel, wherein the metering chamber comprises a second channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, and wherein the metering chamber is configured to meter a volume of the reagent to the second compartment based on a pressure change of a gas within the second channel; and a control system communicatively coupled to the microfluidic chip, wherein the control system is configured to provide instructions to one or more valves associated with the microfluidic chip, wherein the one or more valves are configured to control the influx and efflux of the reagent, the gas, or a combination thereof within the metering chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A microfluidic chip comprising:
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a first chamber configured to store a reagent and fluidly coupled to a second chamber via a first channel; a metering chamber disposed along the first channel, wherein the metering chamber comprises a second channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, and wherein the outlet section is configured to be coupled to a gas source; a first sensor disposed at a measuring site within the inlet section, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a fluid within the measuring site; and a second sensor disposed at the outlet section, wherein the second sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification