Back to results
US 10,702,868 B2Granted
Centrifugal microfluidic chip control
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorsTeodor Veres, Daniel Brassard, Liviu Clime, Francois Normandin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique is provided for incorporating pneumatic control in centrifugal microfluidics. The technique involves providing a chip controller that has pressurized fluid supply lines for coupling one or more pressurized chambers of the controller with ports of a microfluidic chip. At least part of the chip controller is mounted to a centrifuge for rotation with the chip. A flow control device is provided in each supply line for selectively controlling the pressurized fluid supply, and is electrically controlled. Bubble mixing, on and off-chip valving, and switching are demonstrated.
Claims79
A microfluidic chip controller comprising:
- a body having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the body and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge, the body having a first opening to a first pressurized fluid supply;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the first opening, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with a first port of the chip;
- a flow control device in the supply line, mounted to the body for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device provided, with at least part of the electrical circuit mounted to the body,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller mounted with the chip to the centrifuge, with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled delivery of pressurized fluid into the chip during centrifugation.
3 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller comprising:
- a rotor of a slip ring having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the rotor and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge;
- the rotor having a first opening to a first pressurized fluid supply from a stator end of the slip ring;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the first opening, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with at least one first port of the chip;
- a flow control device mounted to the rotor for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller mounted with the chip to the centrifuge, with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled delivery of pressurized fluid into the chip during centrifugation.
4 more elements
A method for controlling a pressurized fluid supply in a microfluidic chip, the method comprising:
- mounting a microfluidic chip control system to a centrifuge and mounting a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the chip and at least part of the control system are rotatable by the centrifuge;
- providing the control system with at least one pressurized fluid supply;
- coupling a pressurized fluid supply line of the control system at opposite ends for fluid communication between the at least one pressurized fluid supply and a port of the chip;
- providing a flow control device of the control system in the supply line, mounted to the body for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- operating the flow control device for selectively controlling a pressure supplied to the chip.
3 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller integrated on a centrifugal blade comprising:
- the blade having an axis for mounting on a centrifuge, and a holder for a microfluidic chip, so that the blade and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge;
- the controller having a first opening to a first pressurized fluid supply mounted to the blade;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line extending between the supply for coupling to one or more ports of the chip;
- a flow control device mounted to the blade for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the one or more ports;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller mounted with the chip to the centrifuge, allows for controlled delivery of pressurized fluid into the chip during centrifugation.
4 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller comprising:
- a body having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the body and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge, the body having a chamber;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the chamber, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with a first port of the chip;
- a flow control device in the supply line, mounted to the body for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device provided, with at least part of the electrical circuit mounted to the body,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller, mounted with the chip to the centrifuge with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled delivery of pressurized fluid into the chip during centrifugation.
3 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller comprising:
- a body having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the body and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge, the body having a pump with an opening to a pressurized chamber;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the chamber, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with a first port of the chip;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the pump, with at least part of the electrical circuit mounted to the body,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller, mounted with the chip to the centrifuge with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled delivery of pressurized fluid into the chip during centrifugation.
2 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller comprising:
- a body having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the centrifuge, so that the body and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge, the body with an opening to ambience;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the opening to ambience, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with a first port of the chip;
- a flow control device in the supply line, mounted to the body for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device, with at least part of the electrical circuit mounted to the body,
- whereby the microfluidic chip controller, mounted with the chip to the centrifuge with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled opening to ambient pressure into the chip during centrifugation.
3 more elements
A microfluidic chip controller integrated on a centrifugal blade, comprising:
- the blade having a coupling for mounting to a centrifuge while permitting concurrent mounting of a microfluidic chip to the blade, so that the blade and chip are rotatable by the centrifuge, the body with an opening to ambience;
- a first pressurized fluid supply line having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with the opening to ambience, and the second end adapted for fluid communication with a first port of the chip;
- a flow control device in the supply line, mounted to the body for selectively controlling a supplied pressure to the first port;
- and
- an electrical circuit for controlling the flow control device, with at least part of the electrical circuit mounted to the body, whereby the microfluidic chip controller, mounted with the chip to the centrifuge with the first supply line connected to the first port of the chip, allows for controlled opening to ambient pressure into the chip during centrifugation.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.