Microfluidic reaction vessel array with patterned films
AssigneeKryptos Biotechnologies, Inc.
InventorsJun Ho Son, Luc Bousse
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Abstract
This disclosure describes various microfluidic devices that may be used in thermal cyclic fluid samples. Some of these devices may include a plurality of microwells that may be coupled by interconnected fluidic channels. These microwells may not be physically separated and yet may include features allowing for effective isolation of target molecules within each microwell. Other devices may include a plurality of microwells that may not be interconnected. The devices may also include mechanisms for causing a fluid to flow across the device. The devices may also include light-absorbing films for converting light energy to heat so as to allow for thermal cycling of samples within the microwells.
Claims19
A method of thermal cycling on a microfluidic device, the method comprising:
- providing a fluidic device comprising a plurality of microwells, wherein the fluidic device comprises a network of interconnected fluidic channels coupled to at least one sample inlet and the microwells, wherein the microwells are physically separated but connected to each other via the network of interconnected fluidic channels to provide discrete reaction chambers;
- applying, using a suction outlet, a negative pressure to one or more circulation channels of the fluidic device to evacuate the one or more circulation channels, wherein the one or more circulation channels are located in proximity to at least a portion of the network of interconnected fluidic channels coupled to the at least one sample inlet and partially surround the plurality of microwells, and wherein the one or more circulation channels and the network of interconnected fluidic channels are disposed in a first substrate including a gas-permeable material;
- causing a gas within the network of interconnected fluidic channels to diffuse in a plurality of directions through the first substrate into the one or more circulation channels;
- causing one or more sample fluids to move from the sample inlet toward one or more of the plurality of microwells;
- and
- thermal cycling a first microwell of the plurality of microwells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.