Detection article having fluid control film

• US 8,197,775 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Johnston, Raymond P., Fleming, Patrick R., Sano, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, In Suk
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kingan, Timothy G
• Application Number:
  US11/751,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20070212266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,848 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/507
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/161 Control and use of surface tension forces, e.g. hydrophobic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a detection article including at least one fluid control film layer having at least one microstructured major surface with a plurality of microchannels therein. The microchannels are configured for uninterrupted fluid flow of a fluid sample throughout the article. The film layer includes an acquisition zone for drawing the fluid sample into the plurality of microchannels at least by spontaneous fluid transport. The film layer also includes a detection zone having at least one detection element that facilitates detection of a characteristic of the fluid sample within at least one microchannel of the detection zone. The detection article may be formed from a plurality of film layers that are stacked to form a three-dimensional article.

Claims

1. A microfluidic article with enhanced optical transmission comprising;

at least one fluid control film layer having a first microstructured major surface including a plurality of V-shaped microchannels therein, the microchannels configured for enhanced optical transmission through the film layer by canting of an included angle of the channels relative to a line normal to the first microstructured major surface, wherein the included angle is canted greater than or equal to about 5 degrees, wherein the optical transmission is enhanced when the microfluidic article is viewed at +30 degrees to −

30 degrees from the normal, wherein the plurality of microchannels comprises a plurality of fluid control microchannels that are defined by sidewalls that extend along at least a portion of the first major surface of the fluid control film layer; and

a cap layer that forms covered microchannels.

2. The microfluidic article of claim 1, wherein all microchannels are similar in form and cant so that the whole film layer is optically enhanced.

3. The microfluidic article of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of the microchannels are similar in form and cant so that that at least one portion of the film layer is optically enhanced.

4. The microfluidic article of claim 1, wherein both major surfaces are microstructured and include a plurality of fluid transfer microchannels that are defined by sidewalls that extend along at least a portion of the major surface of the fluid control film layer, the fluid control microchannels configured for enhanced optical transmission through the film layer by canting of an included angle of the channels, as defined by the sidewalls providing the fluid control microchannels, relative to a line normal to the microstructured major surface.

5. The microfluidic article of claim 1, further comprising a second microstructured major surface, the second microstructured major surface including a plurality of microchannels therein, the microchannels configured for enhanced optical transmission through the film layer by canting of an included angle of the channels relative to a line normal to the second microstructured major surface;

wherein the included angle of the channels is canted in opposite directions on the first and second microstructured major surfaces;

wherein the included angle on both major surfaces is canted greater than or equal to about 10 degrees;

wherein the optical transmission is enhanced when the microfluidic article is viewed at +30 degrees to −

30 degrees from the normal.

6. The microfluidic article of claim 1, wherein the included angle is canted about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.

7. The microfluidic article of claim 1, further comprising a detection element.

8. The microfluidic article of claim 7, wherein the detection element is located in the cap layer.

9. A method of using a microfluidic article comprising the steps of:

providing the microfluidic article of claim 1;

providing a fluid into the fluid transfer microchannels; and

viewing a phenomenon related to the microfluidic article through the film layer with enhanced optical transmission.