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US 12,492,394 B2Granted
Microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof
AssigneeNutcracker Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Eldridge, Ximiao Wen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are described herein for processing polynucleotides in a sealed path environment. The apparatuses include optical sensors to monitor operations and to track material usage for good manufacturing practice.
Claims20
A microfluidic path device comprising:
- (a) a first layer;
- (b) a second layer;
- (c) a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer including an elastic membrane;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first layer and the second layer, a portion of the elastic membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second layer;
- (e) a plurality of fluid channels providing paths for communication of fluid among each fluid-contacting side of the plurality of chambers;
- and
- (f) a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to each pressure receiving side of the plurality of chambers,
- the plurality of chambers including a vacuum cap, the vacuum cap being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers, the vacuum cap being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of the one or more other chambers in fluid communication with the vacuum cap, the vacuum cap including at least one projection configured to prevent the elastic membrane from sealing against at least one side of the vacuum cap.
5 more elements
A microfluidic path device comprising:
- (a) a first layer;
- (b) a second layer;
- (c) a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer including an elastic membrane, the elastic membrane having a gas-permeable portion;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first layer and the second layer, the elastic membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second layer;
- (e) at least one fluid channel providing at least one path for communication of fluid among each fluid-contacting side of the plurality of chambers;
- (f) a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to each pressure receiving side of the plurality of chambers;
- and
- (g) a vacuum cap, the gas-permeable portion of the elastic membrane dividing the vacuum cap into a fluid-contacting side and a vacuum receiving side, the fluid-contacting side of the vacuum cap being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more chambers of the plurality of chambers, the vacuum cap being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of the one or more chambers, the vacuum cap including at least one projection configured to prevent the gas-permeable portion of the elastic membrane from sealing against the vacuum receiving side of the vacuum cap.
5 more elements
A microfluidic path device comprising:
- (a) a first layer;
- (b) a second layer;
- (c) a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer including an elastic membrane, the elastic membrane having a gas-permeable portion;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first layer and the second layer, the elastic membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second layer;
- (e) at least one fluid channel providing at least one path for communication of fluid among each fluid-contacting side of the plurality of chambers;
- (f) a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to each pressure receiving side of the plurality of chambers;
- and
- (g) a vacuum cap, the gas-permeable portion of the elastic membrane dividing the vacuum cap into a fluid-contacting side and a vacuum receiving side, the fluid-contacting side of the vacuum cap being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more chambers of the plurality of chambers, the vacuum cap being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of the one or more chambers, the vacuum cap including:
- (i) an upper surface, and
- (ii) a protrusion extending downwardly from the upper surface into the vacuum receiving side.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.