# US 2014/0193896 A1 · High Efficiency and High Precision Microfluidic Devices and Methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0193896 A1
- Document ID: US20140193896A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/071,598
- Filed: 2013-11-04
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2007-01-19
- Assignees: Fluidigm Corporation
- Applicants: Fluidigm Corporation
- Inventors: David S. Cohen; Jing Wang; Andrew May; Robert C. Jones; Hany Nassef
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193896A1

## CPC

- B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)}
- B01L 3/5025: {for parallel transport of multiple samples}
- F16K 99/0001: {Microvalves (microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006)}
- F16K 99/0026: {Valves using channel deformation}
- F16K 99/0059: {actuated by a pilot fluid}
- B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples}
- B01L 2200/0684: Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
- B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
- B01L 2300/0864: comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
- B01L 2300/087: Multiple sequential chambers
- B01L 2300/0874: Three dimensional network
- B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure
- B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric
- B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics
- B01L 2400/0605: check valves
- B01L 2400/0638: membrane valves, flap valves
- B01L 2400/0655: pinch valves
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- F16K 2099/0074: {using photolithography, e.g. etching}
- F16K 2099/0078: {using moulding or stamping}
- F16K 2099/008: {Multi-layer fabrications}
- F16K 2099/0084: {Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology}
- Y10T 137/0318: Processes
- Y10T 137/85938: Non-valved flow dividers
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

New high density microfluidic devices and methods provide precise metering of fluid volumes and efficient mixing of the metered volumes. A first solution is introduced into a segment of a flow channel in fluidic communication with a reaction chamber. A second solution is flowed through the segment so that the first solution is displaced into the reaction chamber, and a volume of the second solution enters the chamber. The chamber can then be isolated and reactions within the chamber can be initiated and/or detected. High throughput methods of genetic analysis can be carried out with greater accuracy than previously available.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A microfluidic device comprising an array of fluidically interconnected unit cells, wherein each unit cell comprises:
a) a first microfluidic flow path (250) in fluid communication with:
1) a reaction Chamber (400), and
2) a first microfluidic bus line (220), wherein said first microfluidic bus line is in fluidic communication with a sample source reservoir;
b) a first valve (V1) situated in said first microfluidic flow path;
c) a second valve (V2) situated in said first microfluidic flow path;
d) a second microfluidic flow path (300) in fluidic communication with:
1) said first microfluidic flow path at a junction between said first and second valves, and
2) a second microfluidic bus line (230), wherein said second microfluidic bus line is in fluidic communication with a reagent source reservoir
e) a third valve (V3) situated
1) in said second microfluidic flow path (300), or
2) in said second microfluidic bus line (230) positioned between the microfluidic flow channel of said unit cell and the second microfluidic flow path of an adjacent unit cell.