# US 2016/0258902 A1 · Microfluidic devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258902 A1 - Document ID: US20160258902A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/059,098 - Filed: 2016-03-02 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-03 - Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Applicants: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Inventors: Ryan C. Bailey; Steven R. Doonan; Yi Xu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258902A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/502784: {specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics} - B01L 3/0241: {Drop counters; Drop formers} - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - B01L 2200/0668: Trapping microscopic beads - B01L 2200/0673: Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid - B01L 2300/0645: Electrodes - B01L 2300/0864: comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting - B01L 2300/0867: Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution - B01L 2300/0883: Serpentine channels - B01L 2400/0415: electrical forces, e.g. electrokinetic - B01L 2400/043: magnetic forces - G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract In one representative embodiment, a device includes a main microchannel and at least two other microchannels. The main microchannel defines a main fluid flow path and has an opening, and first and second microchannels defining a first and second fluid flow paths, respectively. The first fluid flow path is in fluidic communication with the main fluid flow path via the opening and forms a first angle relative to the main microchannel less than 90 degrees. The second microchannel defines a second fluid flow path in fluidic communication with the main fluid flow path via the opening and in fluidic communication with the first fluid flow path. The second microchannel forms a second angle relative to the main microchannel less than 90 degrees. The first and second microchannels form a third angle relative to one another, with the third angle being between 60 and 135 degrees. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a main microchannel defining a main fluid flow path and having an opening; a first microchannel defining a first fluid flow path, the first fluid flow path being in fluidic communication with the main fluid flow path via the opening, the first microchannel forming a first angle relative to the main microchannel, the first angle being less than 90 degrees; and a second microchannel defining a second fluid flow path, the second fluid flow path being in fluidic communication with the main fluid flow path via the opening and in fluidic communication with the first fluid flow path, the second microchannel forming a second angle relative to the main microchannel, the second angle being less than 90 degrees, wherein the first and second microchannel form a third angle relative to one another, the third angle being between 60 and 135 degrees. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a main fluid control member configured to control the flow of a first fluid in the main fluid flow path; and at least one additional fluid control member configured to control the flow of a second fluid in the first and second fluid flow paths. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the opening the second direction is generally parallel to the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the opening the second direction is generally opposite of the first direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an electric field generator having one or more microchannels positioned adjacent the main fluid flow path at the location of the opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the main fluid control member and the at least one additional fluid control member are configured to form droplets in the main flow path at the opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the main fluid control member and the at least one additional fluid control member are configured to alter spacing of droplets in the main flow path at the opening. ### Claim 8 A method for manipulating droplets in microfluidics system, the method comprising: delivering a plurality of droplets and a first fluid along a main fluid flow path of a main microchannel; delivering a second fluid along a side flow path defined by intersecting first and second microchannels, the first and second microchannels forming an angle therebetween and intersecting with one another at an opening in the main microchannel; and altering a volume of one or more of the plurality of droplets as respective droplets move along the main fluid flow path and pass the opening in the main microchannel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the act of altering the volume of the one or more of the plurality of droplets comprises: removing a portion of the one or more droplets and directing the removed portion into the side flow path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the act of altering the volume of the one or more of the plurality of droplets comprises: increasing the volume of the one or more droplets by injecting a fluid from the side flow path into the main fluid flow path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the intersection of the first and second microchannels the second direction is generally parallel to the first direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the intersection of the first and second microchannels the second direction is generally opposite of the first direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: applying an electric field to the plurality of droplets adjacent to the opening in the main microchannel. ### Claim 14 A method for manipulating droplets in microfluidics system, the method comprising: delivering a plurality of droplets and a first fluid along a main fluid flow path of a main microchannel; delivering a second fluid along a side flow path defined by a side microchannel, the side microchannel intersecting with the main microchannel at an opening in the main microchannel; applying an electric field to the plurality of droplets at the opening in the main microchannel by aligning a first electrode and a second electrode relative to each other and positioning the first and the second electrodes adjacent to the opening in the main microchannel; and extracting one or more of the plurality of droplets into the side microchannel as respective droplets move along the main fluid flow path and pass the opening in the main microchannel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the intersection of the main and side microchannels the second direction is generally parallel to the first direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the intersection of the main and side microchannels the second direction is generally opposite of the first direction. ### Claim 17 A device comprising: a main microchannel defining a main fluid flow path and having an opening; a first microchannel defining a first fluid flow path, the first fluid flow path being in fluidic communication with the main fluid flow path via the opening; and an electric field generator having a first electrode and a second electrode which are aligned relative to each other and disposed adjacent to the opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, further comprising: a main fluid control member configured to control the flow of a first fluid in the main fluid flow path; and at least one additional fluid control member configured to control the flow of a second fluid in the first fluid flow path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the opening the second direction is generally parallel to the first direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the first fluid is delivered along the main fluid flow path in a first direction and second fluid is delivered along the side flow path in a second direction, and at the opening the second direction is generally opposite of the first direction.