US 2012/0058519 A1 · METHOD, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR FLUID MIXING AND CHIP INTERFACE

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for ensuring that multiple components of a mixture are fully mixed in a continuous flow microfluidic system while ensuring that mixing between segments flowing through the chip is minimized. In some embodiments, the present invention includes mixing fluids in a droplet maintained at the tip of a pipette before the mixture is introduced to the microfluidic device. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for creating segments that move through a microfluidic chip with minimal mixing between segments. The microfluidic chip may have an interface chip and a reaction chip. In some embodiments, the present invention includes creating segments that flow through an interface chip and a reaction chip, wherein the interface chip and a reaction chip have separate flow control mechanisms and produce minimal mixing between segments.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method for delivering a plurality of fluid segments in serial to a microfluidic channel, the method comprising:

(a) drawing a first reaction mixture into a microfluidic channel of an interface chip of a microfluidic device via an inlet port of the interface chip;
(b) creating a first fluid segment in a microfluidic channel of a reaction chip of the microfluidic device by drawing the first reaction mixture from the microfluidic channel of the interface chip into the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip;
(c) drawing a second reaction mixture into the microfluidic channel of the interface chip via the inlet port of the interface chip;
and
(d) creating a second fluid segment in the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip by drawing the second reaction mixture from the microfluidic channel of the interface chip into the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip.

2 more elements

A random access microfluidic reaction device comprising:

a microfluidic device including:
an interface chip having an inlet port and a microfluidic channel;
and
a reaction chip having a microfluidic channel;
a flow controller configured to:
(a) draw a first reaction mixture into the microfluidic channel of the interface chip via the inlet port of the interface chip;
(b) create a first fluid segment in the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip by drawing the first reaction mixture from the microfluidic channel of the interface chip into the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip;
(c) draw a second reaction mixture into the microfluidic channel of the interface chip via the inlet port of the interface chip;
and
(d) create a second fluid segment in the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip by drawing the second reaction mixture from the microfluidic channel of the interface chip into the microfluidic channel of the reaction chip.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method, devices, and systems for fluid mixing and chip interface

Life of this patent

Method, devices, and systems for fluid mixing and chip interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24