High-speed on demand droplet generation and single cell encapsulation driven by induced cavitation
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsPEI-YU CHIOU, TING-HSIANG S. WU, SUNG-YONG PARK, MICHAEL A. TEITELL
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Abstract
Methods and devices for the formation of droplets of a first fluid in a second fluid and the encapsulation of particles or cells within such droplets are disclosed. Impetus for droplet formation is provided by the creation of a transient bubble, which may be induced using a pulsed laser. Droplet volume and the frequency at which droplets are formed can be controlled by modulation of the pulsed laser. The disclosed methods and devices are particularly suitable for use in microfluidic devices.
Claims57
A device for the generation of droplets, said device comprising:
- a first microfluid fluid stream comprising a first fluid adjacent to a second microfluid stream comprising a second fluid wherein said second fluid is immiscible in said first fluid.
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A method of moving a controlled amount of a fluid comprising:
- generating a cavitation bubble in a first fluid,
- wherein the cavitation bubble imparts a sufficient velocity to a portion of the first fluid to thereby move a controlled volume of a second fluid that is operatively coupled to the first fluid,
- wherein the controlled volume of the second fluid is about 1 microliter or less;
- and
- wherein the cavitation bubble has a duration of about 1 millisecond or less.
45-53. (canceled)
A method for generating droplets in a device comprising:
- providing
- a first fluid path comprising a first fluid;
- a second fluid path comprising a second fluid;
- and
- an opening fluidly coupling the first fluid path to the second fluid path;
- and
- generating a cavitation bubble in the first fluid path, wherein the cavitation bubble imparts sufficient velocity to a portion of the first fluid so as to extrude a droplet of the first fluid across the opening and into the second fluid path.
55-58. (canceled)
A method for generating droplets in a device comprising:
- providing
- a first fluid path comprising a first fluid;
- a second fluid path comprising a second fluid, the second fluid path in fluid communication with the first fluid path;
- a third fluid path comprising a third fluid;
- and
- an opening fluidly coupling the second fluid path to the third fluid path;
- and
- generating a cavitation bubble in the first fluid path, wherein the cavitation bubble imparts sufficient velocity to a portion of the second fluid to extrude a droplet of the second fluid across the opening and into the third fluid path.
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A method for generating droplets in a device comprising:
- providing
- a first fluid path comprising a first fluid,
- a second fluid path comprising a second fluid,
- a third fluid path comprising a third fluid,
- a flexible membrane interposed between the first fluid path and the second fluid path, and
- an opening between the second fluid path and the third fluid path;
- and
- generating a cavitation bubble in the first fluid path that elastically deforms a portion of the flexible membrane into the second fluid path, wherein the elastic deformation of the portion of the flexible membrane imparts sufficient velocity to a portion of the second fluid to extrude a droplet of the second fluid across the opening and into the third fluid path.
70-72. (canceled)
A device for generating droplets comprising:
- a first fluid path;
- a second fluid path;
- an opening between the first fluid path and the second fluid path, the opening disposed such that formation of a bubble in a fluid in the first fluid path induces a force in the in an amount effective to thereby extrude a droplet of the fluid from the first fluid path through the opening into the second fluid path;
- and
- a controller coupled to an energy source that is and operatively configured to cause the energy source to direct an energy that induces temporary formation of one or more bubbles in the first fluid path.
A device for generating droplets comprising:
- a first fluid path;
- a second fluid path;
- a third fluid path;
- a flexible membrane interposed between the first fluid path and the second fluid path, the flexible membrane disposed such that formation of a bubble in a fluid in the first fluid path induces a force that elastically deforms a portion of the flexible membrane;
- an opening between the second fluid path and the third fluid path, the opening disposed such that elastic deformation of a portion of the flexible membrane induces a force on a second fluid to thereby extrude a droplet of the second fluid from the second fluid path through the opening into the third fluid path;
- and
- a controller operatively configured to direct an energy that induces temporary formation of the bubble in the fluid in the first fluid path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.