Microfluidic mixing and analytical apparatus
AssigneeMicronics, Inc.
InventorsJohn Clemmens, C. Battrell, John Gerdes, Denise Hoekstra
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a device comprising a pair of bellows pumps configured for efficient mixing at a microfluidic scale. By moving a fluid sample and particles in suspension through an aperture between the paired bellows pump mixing chambers, molecular collisions leading to binding between the particles and ligands in the sample are enhanced. Such devices provide an alternative for mixing that does not use a vent and can be used with a variety of particles in suspension such as magnetic beads to capture or purify useful cells and molecules.
Claims40
A microfluidic cartridge comprising:
- a) a first bellows pump with a pump cavity bisected in coronal plane by a first elastomeric diaphragm, said first diaphragm dividing said pump cavity of said first bellows pump into a first half-chamber and a second half-chamber;
- b) a second bellows pump with a pump cavity bisected in coronal plane by a second elastomeric diaphragm, said second diaphragm dividing said pump cavity of said second bellows pump into a first half-chamber and a second half-chamber;
- c) an aperture fluidly interconnecting said first half-chamber of said first bellows pump with said first half-chamber of said second bellows pump;
- d) an inlet fluidly connected to said first half-chamber of said first bellows pump, wherein said inlet is comprised of a microfluidic channel with valve;
- e) a pneumatic member pneumatically connected to said second half-chamber of said first bellows pump, wherein said pneumatic element is selected from the group consisting of a microchannel and a vent;
- and
- f) a pneumatic member pneumatically connected to said second half-chamber of said second bellows pump, wherein said pneumatic element is selected from the group consisting of a microchannel and a vent.
A microfluidic apparatus for affinity capture, comprising:
- a) a microfluidic cartridge comprising:
- i) a first bellows pump configured for pumping a fluid sample:affinity capture bead suspension;
- ii) a second bellows pump configured for pumping said sample:bead suspension;
- iii) an aperture with depth, width and length fluidly interconnecting said first and second bellows pumps;
- iv) an inlet with a microfluidic channel and a valve member, wherein said inlet is fluidly connected to said first bellows pump, and further wherein said microfluidic channel is configured for admitting a fluid sample and for opening and closing;
- and
- v) a means for pneumatically actuating said bellows pumps, configured so that said sample:bead suspension is mixingly pumped back and forth through said aperture.
A microfluidic apparatus for affinity capture comprising:
- a) a microfluidic cartridge comprising:
- i) a first bellows pump configured for pumping a fluid:affinity capture bead suspension;
- ii) a second bellows pump configured for pumping said fluid:bead suspension;
- iii) an aperture with depth, width and length fluidly interconnecting said first and second bellows pumps, and configured for mixingly transporting said fluid:bead suspension between said first and second bellows pumps;
- and
- iv) an inlet with a microfluidic channel and a valve member, wherein said inlet is fluidly connected to said first bellows pump, and further wherein said microfluidic channel is configured for admitting a fluid sample and for opening and closing;
- and
- b) a pneumatic pulse generator and pneumatic distribution manifold, wherein said pulse generator is configured to deliver pneumatic pulses to said distribution manifold, and wherein said distribution manifold is engagedly connected to said microfluidic cartridge, and is configured to distribute said pneumatic pulses to at least one bellows pump, whereby said fluid:bead suspension is transported back and forth between said first and second bellows pumps when said valve member of said inlet is closed.
A method for affinity capture of a ligand, comprising:
- a) admitting a fluid sample to a first bellows pump through a sample inlet having a microfluidic channel and a valve member;
- b) adding affinity capture beads to said fluid sample;
- c) closing said valve member;
- d) pumping said fluid sample and said affinity capture beads back and forth through an aperture between said first bellows pump and a second bellows pump;
- e) repeating step (d) until said sample and said beads are effectively mixed;
- f) separating said beads and said sample;
- and
- g) discharging said sample fluid and retaining said beads.
A composition, apparatus, method or kit of the disclosure hereto attached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.