Liquid transportation system for microfluidic device

• US 6,368,562 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings
• Original Assignee: Orchid Biosciences Incorporated (Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings)
• Inventors: Yao, Xian-Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): LUDLOW, JAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/292,868
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/100, 422/58, 422/59, 422/68.1, 422/69, 422/70, 436/179, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/504
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/422 between stacked plates, e.g. grooved or perforated plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/30 Micromixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00353 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00704 integrated with the reactor apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00707 separated from the reactor apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/027 electrostatic forces between substrate and tip
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• 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 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/04 : Arrangements for introducing or extracting samples to be analysed, e.g. vacuum locks; Arrangements for external adjustment of electron- or ion-optical components

Abstract

A method and apparatus for fluid transportation includes a fluid reservoir and a pump that supplies fluid to a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device has an opening and an electrode positioned proximate the opening. The pump pressurizes fluid within the microfluidic device to form a droplet at the opening. When a desired volume of droplet is formed, a potential difference is generated between an electrode and a target plate. The potential difference causes the drop to form a fluid delivery therebetween. The fluid delivery may take many shapes, including a Taylor cone or a stream of droplets.

Claims

1. A mixing apparatus comprising:

a first fluid pressure source;

a second fluid pressure source;

a multilayer microfluidic device comprising a reservoir layer having a first fluid input coupled to said first fluid pressure source and a fluidic delivery layer coupled beneath said reservoir layer having a first channel with a first opening therein, said reservoir layer having a second fluid input coupled to said second fluid pressure source and a said fluidic delivery layer second channel with a second opening therein;

said first fluid pressure source being operative to pump fluid into said channel to form a first droplet at said first opening having a first predetermined volume;

said second fluid pressure source being operative to pump fluid into said second channel to form a second droplet at said second opening having a second predetermined volume;

a first contact proximate said first opening;

a second contact proximate said second opening; and

a power source coupled to said first contact and said second contact, said power source selectively applying electrical power to said first contact and said second contact upon the formation of said first and second droplets to mix respective first and second fluid deliveries.

2. A mixing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first contact and said second contact are simultaneously coupled to said power source.

3. A mixing apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a receiving plate having a mixing reservoir, wherein said first and second fluid deliveries are directed to said mixing reservoir.