Device having microchambers and microfluidics
AssigneeBioCrystal, Ltd.
InventorEmilio Barbera-Guillem
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Abstract
Provided is a device comprising a plurality of microchambers having a closed vented environment, wherein each microchamber is in operative communication with a filling port and a vent aperture. The device further comprises a base which is sandwiched between two liquid-impermeable membranes, with at least one of the membranes being gas permeable. Also provided is a method for introducing a fluid into a plurality of microchambers of the device, wherein each filling port is aligned with a pipette tip, and the fluid is introduced into and through the filling port. The fluid then flows along a fluid flow groove providing fluid flow communication between the filling port and the microchamber, and into the microchamber.
Claims56
A device comprising:
- a base comprising a plurality of apertures, and a top surface and a bottom surface;
- two liquid impermeable membranes, wherein one membrane is secured to the top surface of the base and the other membrane is secured to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the membranes are secured to the base in forming a liquid-tight sealing, and wherein at least one of the membranes is gas permeable;
- and
- the plurality of apertures comprises one or more sets of apertures, wherein a set of apertures comprises a microchamber with a fluid flow groove, a vent aperture, and a filling port, wherein the microchamber and vent aperture are in airflow communication, and wherein the fluid flow groove comprises fluid flow communication between the microchamber and the filling port of the set in providing for flow of a fluid, when introduced into the filling port, to access the microchamber of the set.
A device comprising:
- a base comprising a plurality of sets of apertures, and a top surface and a bottom surface;
- two liquid impermeable membranes, wherein one membrane is secured to the top surface of the base and the other membrane is secured to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the membranes are secured to the base in forming a liquid-tight sealing, and wherein at least one of the membranes is gas permeable;
- wherein a set of apertures, of the plurality of sets of apertures, comprises a microchamber with a fluid flow groove, a vent aperture, and a filling port, wherein the microchamber and vent aperture are in airflow communication, and wherein the fluid flow groove comprises fluid flow communication between the microchamber and the filling port of the set in providing for flow of a fluid, when introduced into the filling port, to access the microchamber of the set;
- wherein the vent aperture comprises one or more openings selected from the group consisting of an opening in the top surface of the base and an opening in the bottom surface of the base, and a single opening in the top surface of the base;
- and
- a venting system comprising a vent aperture, and one or more vent holes which allow passage of air therethrough.
A device comprising:
- a base having a plurality of apertures, wherein the base has secured thereto in a liquid-tight sealing, and is sandwiched between, two membranes in forming a plurality of microchambers, wherein at least one of the membranes is gas permeable;
- microfluidics which provides for introducing fluid into each microchamber of the plurality of microchambers without direct access to the microchambers, wherein the microfluidics comprises a separate filling port in fluid flow communication with each microchamber;
- and
- a venting system for providing flow of air out of the device during a process of introducing fluid into the microchambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.