Flow control in microfluidic systems
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a microfluidic system, wherein the microfluidic system comprises;
a first plug comprising a first fluid and a second plug comprising a second fluid contained in the microfluidic system, wherein the first and second plugs are separated by a gas, and wherein the first plug, the second plug, and the gas are present in the microfluidic system prior to first use of the device;
an inlet and an outlet;
a reaction area positioned between the inlet and the outlet;
a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with and downstream of the reaction area, the microfluidic channel comprising a first channel portion having a first cross-sectional area; and
a flow constriction region positioned downstream of the first channel portion and upstream of the outlet, wherein the flow constriction region has a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being less than 250 μ
m2 and at least 10 times smaller than the first cross-sectional area, wherein the flow constriction region has a length of at least 1 cm, and wherein the flow constriction region is adapted and arranged to substantially stop flow of a liquid in the microfluidic system.
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Abstract
Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system.
115 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a microfluidic system, wherein the microfluidic system comprises; a first plug comprising a first fluid and a second plug comprising a second fluid contained in the microfluidic system, wherein the first and second plugs are separated by a gas, and wherein the first plug, the second plug, and the gas are present in the microfluidic system prior to first use of the device; an inlet and an outlet; a reaction area positioned between the inlet and the outlet; a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with and downstream of the reaction area, the microfluidic channel comprising a first channel portion having a first cross-sectional area; and a flow constriction region positioned downstream of the first channel portion and upstream of the outlet, wherein the flow constriction region has a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being less than 250 μ
m2 and at least 10 times smaller than the first cross-sectional area, wherein the flow constriction region has a length of at least 1 cm, and wherein the flow constriction region is adapted and arranged to substantially stop flow of a liquid in the microfluidic system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification