System for generating droplets—instruments and cassette
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A system for generating droplets, comprising:
- a device including a sample well configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a continuous-phase well configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a droplet well, the device also including a channel network having a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region;
a holder for the device; and
an instrument configured to operatively receive an assembly including the device and the holder and to drive sample-containing fluid from the sample well to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, continuous-phase fluid from the continuous-phase well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and sample-containing droplets from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel.
1 Assignment
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. An exemplary system may comprise a device including a sample well configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a continuous-phase well configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a droplet well. The device also may include a channel network having a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region. The system also may comprise a holder for the device. The system further may comprise an instrument configured to operatively receive an assembly including the device and the holder and to drive sample-containing fluid from the sample well to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, continuous-phase fluid from the continuous-phase well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and sample-containing droplets from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel.
307 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for generating droplets, comprising:
-
a device including a sample well configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a continuous-phase well configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a droplet well, the device also including a channel network having a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel that meet one another in a droplet-generation region; a holder for the device; and an instrument configured to operatively receive an assembly including the device and the holder and to drive sample-containing fluid from the sample well to the droplet-generation region via the first channel, continuous-phase fluid from the continuous-phase well to the droplet-generation region via the second channel, and sample-containing droplets from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well via the third channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A system for generating droplets, comprising:
-
a device including a row of sample wells each configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a row of continuous-phase wells each configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a row of droplet wells, the device also including a corresponding channel network for each sample well, the channel network including a droplet-generation region and fluidically connecting the sample well to one of the continuous-phase wells and one of the droplet wells; a holder for the device; a gasket configured to be attached directly to the holder, such that the gasket extends over each sample well, each continuous-phase well, and each droplet well; and an instrument configured to (a) receive an assembly including the device, the holder, and the gasket, (b) engage the gasket with a manifold, and (c) apply positive pressure and/or negative pressure to the device via the manifold, such that sample-containing fluid flows from each sample well to the corresponding droplet-generation region, continuous-phase fluid flows from each continuous-phase well to the corresponding droplet-generation region, and sample-containing droplets flow from each droplet-generation region to the corresponding droplet well. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system to form an emulsion, comprising:
-
a device including a sample well configured to receive sample-containing fluid, a continuous-phase well configured to receive continuous-phase fluid, and a droplet well, the device also including a channel network including a droplet-generation region, the channel network fluidically connecting the wells to one another; a holder configured to receive the device; and an instrument configured to (a) receive an assembly including the device and the holder, (b) detect that the holder has been received, and (c) create a pressure differential, such that sample-containing fluid flows from the sample well to the droplet-generation region, continuous-phase fluid flows from the continuous-phase well to the droplet-generation region, and sample-containing droplets flow from the droplet-generation region to the droplet well. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification