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US 12,663,345 B2Granted
Devices for generating monodisperse droplets from a bulk liquid
AssigneeIllumina, Inc.
InventorsKristina Fontanez, Robert Meltzer, Yi Xue, Sepehr Kiani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides devices that generate monodisperse droplets from a bulk liquid. The devices include a shearing mechanism, a holder for a vessel containing a liquid, and an optical system that transmit light to, and detects light from, liquid in the vessel. The invention also provides methods of using such devices to produce monodisperse droplets.
Claims17
A device comprising:
- a shearing mechanism for applying shearing energy to thereby generate an emulsion to a liquid contained in at least one vessel;
- a holder coupled to the shearing mechanism and configured to secure the at least one vessel;
- an optical system comprising:
- a light source positioned to transmit light to the liquid contained in the at least one vessel, and
- a photodetector positioned to sense the transmitted light from the liquid contained in the at least one vessel, wherein the holder and optical system are movable relative to each other to adjust the position of the at least one vessel in relation to the light source and the photodetector;
- and
- a control system coupled to the shearing mechanism and the optical system,
- wherein the control system directs the shearing mechanism to alter the shearing energy applied to the liquid in response to the transmitted light and directs the shearing mechanism to stop applying shearing energy when the emulsion comprises substantially monodisperse droplets, and
- wherein the control system directs the shearing mechanism to stop applying shearing energy in response to the photodetector sensing the transmitted light from the liquid contained in the at least one vessel within pre-defined maximum and minimum intensities of the sensed transmitted light.
6 more elements
A method for generating an emulsion comprising substantially monodisperse droplets, the method comprising:
- contacting at least one vessel containing a liquid with a device comprising:
- a shearing mechanism,
- a holder configured to secure the at least one vessel and coupled to the shearing mechanism, and
- an optical system comprising a light source and a photodetector, wherein the holder and optical system are movable relative to each other to adjust the position of the at least one vessel in relation to the light source and the photodetector;
- applying shearing energy from the shearing mechanism to the liquid, thereby generating an emulsion comprising substantially monodisperse droplets;
- adjusting the position of the holder relative to the optical system;
- transmitting light from the light source to the liquid in the at least one vessel;
- sensing, with the photodetector, the transmitted light from the liquid in the at least one vessel;
- and
- directing the shearing mechanism to alter the shearing energy applied to the liquid in response to the photodetector sensing the transmitted light from the liquid contained in the at least one vessel within pre-defined maximum and minimum intensities of the sensed transmitted light.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.