US5842787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microfluidic systems incorporating varied channel dimensions
Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-09
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Granted: 1998-12-01
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Expires: 2017-10-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is generally directed to improved microfluidic devices, systems and methods of using same, which incorporate channel profiles that impart significant benefits over previously described systems. In particular, the presently described devices and systems employ channels having, at least in part, depths that are varied over those which have been previously described. These varied channel depths provide numerous beneficial and unexpected results.
Inventors
- 👤 Anne R. Kopf-Sill
- 👤 John Wallace Parce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756; G01N27/44791; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0093; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5027; B01L3/502746; B01F; B01F33/00; B01F33/30; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00781; B01J2219/00783; B01J2219/00851; B01J2219/00858; B01J2219/0086; B01J2219/00889; B01L2300/00; B01L2300/08; B01L2300/0809; B01L2300/0816; B01L2300/0861; B01L2300/0867; B01L2400/00; B01L2400/04; B01L2400/0403; B01L2400/0415; B01L2400/08; B01L2400/084; B01L3/502707; B01L3/502769; B01L3/502776; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S366/00; Y10S366/01; Y10S366/02; Y10S366/03; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/2575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A mirofluidic device comprising a body structure and at least a first microscale channel disposed therein, the microscale channel comprising at least first and second ends and at least a portion of the microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mirofluidic device comprising a body structure and at least a first microscale channel disposed therein, the microscale channel comprising at least first and second ends and at least a portion of the microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than 1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical controller operably linked to the first and second ends of the microscale channel, for applying a voltage gradient between the first and second ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising first and second reservoirs disposed in the body structure, the first and second reservoirs being in fluid communication with the first and second ends of the first microscale channel, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least one turn of at least 30°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least one turn of at least 45°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least one turn of at least 90°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 6, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least two turns of at least 90°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least one turn of at least 150°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microfluidic device of claim 8, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least two turns of at least 150°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises at least one turn of about 180°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises an aspect ratio less than or equal to about 0.5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises an aspect ratio less than 0.2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the microscale channel comprises an aspect ratio less than 0.1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel comprises a separation matrix disposed therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The microfluidic device of claim 14, wherein the separation matrix comprises an acrylamide polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The microfluidic device of claim 14, wherein the separation matrix comprises a polymethylacrylamide polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising at least a second microscale channel having first and second ends, the second microscale channel intersecting and in fluid communication with the first microscale channel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The microfluidic device of claim 17, wherein the second microscale channel is in fluid communication with the first microscale channel at the second end of the second microscale channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The microfluidic device of claim 18, further comprising at least first, second and third reservoirs disposed in the body structure, the first and second reservoirs being in separate fluid communication with the first and second ends of the first microscale channel, respectively, and the third reservoir being in fluid communication with the first end of the second microscale channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The microfluidic device of claim 19, further comprising an electrical controller operably linked to each of the first, second and third reservoirs, the controller being capable of concomitantly delivering a voltage to each of the first, second and third reservoirs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The microfluidic device of claim 19, further comprising a fourth reservoir disposed in the body structure, the fourth reservoir being in fluid communication with the second end of the second microscale channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The microfluidic device of claim 21, further comprising an electrical controller operably coupled to each of the first, second, third and fourth reservoirs, the controller being capable of concomitantly delivering a voltage to each of the first, second, third and fourth reservoirs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The microfluidic device of claim 18, wherein the second microscale channel is in fluid communication with the first microscale channel between the first and second ends of the second microscale channel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the body structure comprising the first microscale channel is fabricated from a polymeric material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microfluidic device of claim 24, wherein the body structure is injection molded from the polymeric material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microfluidic device of claim 24, wherein the first microscale channel is embossed into a polymeric substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microfluidic device of claim 24, wherein the polymeric material is selected from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polysulfone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microfluidic system, comprising: a microfluidic device comprising a body structure, the body structure having at least first and second microscale channels disposed therein, each of the first and second microscale channels having first and second ends, the first microscale channel intersecting and in fluid communication with the second channel, at least the first microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than or equal to about 1; and an electrical control system operably coupled to the first and second ends of the first and second channels, and capable of concomitantly delivering a voltage to each of the first and second ends of the first and second channels.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microfluidic system, comprising: a microfluidic device comprising a body structure, the body structure having at least first and second microscale channels disposed therein, each of the first and second microscale channels having first and second ends, the first microscale channel intersecting and in fluid communication with the second channel, at least the first microscale channel having an aspect ratio (width/depth) less than or equal to about 1; and an electrical control system operably coupled to the first and second ends of the first and second channels, and capable of concomitantly delivering a voltage to each of the first and second ends of the first and second channels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microfluidic system of claim 28, wherein the body structure is fabricated from a polymeric material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microfluidic device of claim 29, wherein the polymeric material is selected from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polysulfone.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of transporting at least a first material region through a microscale channel wherein the channel comprises at least one turn, the method comprising: providing at least a portion of the channel at the turn with an aspect ratio (width/depth) that is less than 1; and transporting the first material region through the at least one turn.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of transporting at least a first material region through a microscale channel wherein the channel comprises at least one turn, the method comprising: providing at least a portion of the channel at the turn with an aspect ratio (width/depth) that is less than 1; and transporting the first material region through the at least one turn.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31, further comprising transporting at least a second material region through the first microscale channel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one channel comprises a separation matrix disposed therein, the first and second material regions comprise first and second species bands, separated in the at least one channel, and the step of transporting comprises applying a voltage gradient along the length of the first microscale channel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the step of transporting the first material region through the channel turn is carried out whereby the portion of the material region traveling at the inside edge of the channel turn traverses the turn at substantially the same rate as the portion of the material region at the outside edge of the channel turn.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of mixing a first material and at least a second material in a first microscale channel, comprising: providing a mixing region and a non-mixing region of the first channel, the mixing region having a cross-sectional area that is sufficient to permit substantially complete diffusional mixing of the two materials while the two materials are serially transported into and through the mixing region; and serially introducing and transporting the two materials into and through the mixing region.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of mixing a first material and at least a second material in a first microscale channel, comprising: providing a mixing region and a non-mixing region of the first channel, the mixing region having a cross-sectional area that is sufficient to permit substantially complete diffusional mixing of the two materials while the two materials are serially transported into and through the mixing region; and serially introducing and transporting the two materials into and through the mixing region.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
129 words
A method of mixing according to claim 35, wherein the first material and at least a second material in a microfluidic device at a preselected ratio, comprising: introducing a first of the two materials into the mixing region at a first flow rate for a first selected time; introducing a second of the two materials into the mixing region at the second flow rate for a second selected time, wherein the ratio of the first selected time times the first flow rate, to the second selected time times the second flow rate, is equal to the preselected ratio; and wherein the mixing channel includes a region having a cross-sectional area that is sufficient to permit substantially complete diffusional mixing of the first and second materials within the mixing channel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the first flow rate and second flow rate are substantially equal, and the ratio of the first selected time to the second selected time is equal to the preselected ratio.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the mixing region of the first channel has a width equal to the non-mixing portion of the first channel and a depth that is at least twice a depth of the non-mixing region of the first channel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the mixing region of the first channel has an aspect ratio (width/depth) of less than 1.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the mixing region of the first channel has an aspect ratio (width/depth) of less than about 0.5.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the mixing region of the first channel has an aspect ratio (width/depth) of less than about 0.2.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the mixing region of the first channel has an aspect ratio (width/depth) of less than 0.1.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |