Method of performing gradient-based assays in a microfluidic device
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsDavid J. Beebe, Glenn M. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for performing a gradient-based assay in a microfluidic device. The method includes the steps of passing first and second fluids through a channel in the microfluidic device. The first fluid has a predetermined concentration of particles therein such that the particles in the first fluid diffuse into the second fluid so as to cause a gradient of concentration of particles in the second fluid as the second fluid flows through the channel. The second fluid sequentially intersects a series of targets along the channel wall as the second fluid flows through the channel.
Claims21
A method of performing a gradient-based assay in a microfluidic device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a microfluidic device having a channel therethrough, the channel being partially defined by a channel wall extending along an axis;
- providing a plurality of targets axially spaced along the channel wall;
- introducing a stream of first fluid into the channel so as to flow therethrough, the first fluid stream having a predetermined concentration of particles therein;
- and
- introducing a stream of second fluid into the channel so as to flow therethrough, the particles in the first fluid stream diffusing into the second fluid stream so as to cause a gradient of concentrations of particles in the second fluid stream;
- wherein predetermined concentrations of particles in the second stream intersect corresponding targets as the second fluid stream flows therepast.
A method of performing a gradient-based assay in a microfluidic device having a channel therethrough, the channel being partially defined by a channel wall extending along an axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of targets axially spaced along the channel wall;
- providing first and second fluids, the first fluid having a predetermined concentration of particles therein;
- and
- passing the first and second fluids through the channel such that the particles in the first fluid diffuse into the second fluid so as to cause a gradient of concentrations of particles in the second fluid as the second fluid flows through the channel;
- wherein predetermined concentrations of particles in the second fluid intersect corresponding targets as the second fluid flows therepast.
A method of performing a gradient-based assay in a microfluidic device having a channel therethrough, the channel being partially defined by a channel wall extending along an axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- passing a first fluid through the channel, the first fluid having a concentration of particles therein;
- and
- passing a second fluid through the channel such that the particles in the first fluid diffuse into the second fluid so as to cause a gradient of concentrations of particles in the second fluid as the second fluid flows through the channel, the second fluid sequentially intersecting a series of targets along the channel wall as the second fluid flows through the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.