Instrument with microfluidic chip

A microfluidic device comprising first, second, and third glass layers, and an elastomeric layer, wherein:

• (i) the first glass layer is interfaced with the second glass layer and the first and second glass layers form one or more fluidic channels,
• (ii) the elastomeric layer is positioned between the second and third glass layers and the second glass layer and elastomeric layer form one or more chambers that are in fluid communication with the one or more fluidic channels;
• and
• (iii) the elastomeric layer and the third glass layer form one or more pneumatic channels, and further
• wherein a first portion of the first and second glass layers are isolated from the elastomeric layer and the third glass layer.

An instrument comprising:

• a. a chip station assembly comprising at least one station, each station configured to engage a microfluidic chip, wherein each microfluidic chip comprises a plurality of microfluidic circuits, each circuit comprising a chamber;
• and
• b. a magnet moving assembly comprising:
• i. a magnet for each station;
• and
• ii. an actuator configured to move each magnet into a functional position at a station so as to exert a magnetic force of at least 30 T2/m in each of the chambers in the microfluidic chip when engaged with the station, and wherein the magnetic force is substantially the same in each chamber of the plurality of microfluidic circuits.

A method for mixing a first liquid and a second liquid comprising:

• a) positioning a first bolus of the first liquid adjacent and downstream of a second bolus of the second liquid within a channel;
• b) positioning a third bolus of a third liquid adjacent and upstream of the second bolus of the second liquid within a channel;
• and
• c) moving the first bolus, the second bolus, and the third bolus within the channel in a first direction under laminar flow conditions, whereby the moving facilitates mixing of the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid,
• wherein one or more pneumatically actuated diaphragm pumps are used for the positioning of the first bolus, the second bolus, and the third bolus within the channel, and wherein the first liquid and second liquid are different.

A method for providing a first liquid and a second liquid to a mixing channel comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a device with a first liquid channel and a second liquid channel each fluidically connected to the mixing channel,
• wherein a first valve is positioned within the first liquid channel, a second valve is positioned within the second liquid channel, a pumping valve is positioned within the mixing channel, and an exit valve is positioned downstream of the pumping valve within the mixing channel, and
• wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are different;
• b. providing the first liquid to the first liquid channel and the second liquid to the second liquid channel;
• c. configuring the valves such that the first valve is open and the second valve, the pumping valve, and the exit valve are closed;
• d. opening the pumping valve;
• e. configuring the valves such that the pumping valve and exit valve are open and the first valve and the second valve are closed;
• f. closing the pumping valve;
• g. configuring the valves such that the second valve is open and the first valve, the pumping valve and the exit valve are closed;
• h. opening the pumping valve;
• i. configuring the valves such that the pumping valve and the exit valve are open and the first valve and the second valve are closed;
• and
• j. closing the pumping valve.

A method of mixing fluids in a microfluidic device comprising:

• a) stacking alternating boluses of a first liquid and a second liquid in a microfluidic channel;
• b) moving the stack of boluses into a chamber of a diaphragm valve, wherein the chamber, when open, has a volume greater than the volume of at least four boluses;
• and
• c) closing the diaphragm valve, wherein closing pumps the liquids out of the valve, thereby mixing the liquids.