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US 12,280,376 B2Granted
Devices and systems for droplet generation and methods for generating droplets
AssigneeUniversity of Washington
InventorsDaniel Chiu, Li Wu, Yuling Qin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and systems for droplet generation and methods for generating droplets are described. In an embodiment, the devices and systems include a capillary configured to eject a droplet, such as in response to a voltage applied to an end of the capillary. In an embodiment, the devices and systems include a moveable stage configured to carry a multi-well plate and move the stage relative to the capillary such that the ejected droplet is selectively received by a well of the multi-well plate carried by the moveable stage.
Claims86
A device for producing a droplet, the device comprising:
- a capillary defining a lumen, the capillary comprising:
- a first end coupleable to a fluid source;
- and
- a second end opposite the first end;
- an electrode in conductive communication with the second end of the capillary and a power source, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube;
- an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube;
- and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube;
- a light source positioned to illuminate the illumination portion of the lumen of the capillary through the illumination window;
- a photodetector positioned to absorb light from within the lumen and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to the light from within the lumen;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the power source and the photodetector, the controller including logic that when executed by the controller, causes the device to perform operations including:
- detecting the light from within the lumen based on the electrical signal from the photodetector;
- and
- applying, with the power source, a voltage to the electrode sufficient to eject a droplet from the second end of the capillary, wherein timing of applying the voltage is based on timing of the electrical signal and whether the electrical signal is above or below a threshold.
11 more elements
A device for producing a droplet, the device comprising:
- a capillary defining a lumen, the capillary comprising:
- a first end coupleable to a fluid source;
- and
- a second end opposite the first end, wherein a viewing portion of the lumen of the capillary is configured for visual inspection by a user;
- an electrode in conductive communication with the second end of the capillary and a power source, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube;
- an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube;
- and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube;
- a light source positioned to illuminate the viewing portion of the lumen of the capillary through the illumination window;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the power source, the controller including logic that when executed by the controller, causes the device to perform operations including:
- applying, with the power source, a voltage to the electrode sufficient to eject a droplet from the second end of the capillary.
8 more elements
A system for generating droplets comprising:
- a fluid source;
- and
- a device comprising:
- a capillary defining a lumen in fluidic communication with the fluid source, the capillary comprising:
- a first end coupled to the fluid source;
- and
- a second end opposite the first end;
- an electrode in conductive communication with the second end of the capillary and a power source, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube;
- an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube;
- and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube;
- a light source positioned to illuminate the illumination portion of the lumen of the capillary through the illumination window;
- a photodetector configured to generate an electrical signal in response to light emitted by the light source;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the power source, the photodetector, and the light source, the controller including logic that when executed by the controller, causes the device to perform operations including:
- detecting the light from within the lumen based on the electrical signal from the photodetector;
- and
- applying, with the power source, a voltage to the electrode sufficient to eject a droplet from the second end of the capillary, wherein timing of applying the voltage is based on timing of the electrical signal and whether the electrical signal is above a threshold.
14 more elements
A system for generating droplets comprising:
- a fluid source;
- and
- a device comprising:
- a capillary defining a lumen, the capillary comprising:
- a first end coupled to the fluid source;
- and
- a second end opposite the first end, wherein a viewing portion of the lumen of the capillary is configured for visual inspection by a user;
- an electrode in conductive communication with the second end of the capillary and a power source, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube;
- an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube;
- and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube;
- a light source positioned to illuminate the viewing portion of the lumen of the capillary through the illumination window;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the power source, the controller including logic that when executed by the controller, causes the device to perform operations including:
- applying, with the power source, a voltage to the electrode sufficient to eject a droplet from the second end of the capillary, wherein the device is configured to apply the voltage to the electrode based on an input from the user.
11 more elements
A method of producing a droplet:
- flowing a fluid through a capillary;
- emitting light from a light source into a lumen of the capillary;
- and
- applying, with a power source, a voltage to an electrode conductively coupled to a distal end of the capillary to eject a droplet from the distal end, wherein the electrode further comprises a capillary holder configured to carry the capillary and defining an illumination window shaped to expose an illumination portion of the capillary to light, and wherein the capillary holder comprises an outer tube;
- an inner tube coaxially carried by the outer tube;
- and a conductive spacer conductively coupling the inner tube and the outer tube,
- wherein timing of applying the voltage is based on timing of the electrical signal and whether the electrical signal is above a threshold.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.