US 2018/0297028 A1 · SELF-POWERED MICROFLUIDIC CHIP WITH MICRO-PATTERNED REAGENTS

Abstract

A microfluidic apparatus and methods for fabrication with a fluidic layer and a pattern layer of spots of concentrated reagents that are disposed in wells of a fluidic layer when the two layers are bonded together. Reagents are stored on the chip prior to use. Because reagents are confined to specific wells, contamination of the channels and other microfluidic structures of the fluidic layer are avoided. The fluidic layer also has a system of vacuum channels and at least one vacuum void to store vacuum potential for controlled micro-fluidic pumping. The top and bottom surfaces of the bonded layers are sealed. The chip can be used for point of care diagnostic assays such as quantitative testing, digital nucleic acid amplification, and biochemical testing such as immunoassays and chemistry testing.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for micropatterning materials on a substrate, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining a substrate to be patterned;
(b) forming a stencil with and inlet and a defined pattern of a plurality of fluidic channels and terminal cavities;
(c) reversibly coupling the stencil with the substrate;
(d) loading a fluid with a material to be patterned in the fluidic channels and cavities through the inlet;
(e) clearing the channels of fluid;
(f) removing the remaining liquid within the cavities to leave the material;
and
(g) separating the stencil from the substrate;
(h) wherein the material is adhered to the substrate in a pattern defined by the cavities of the stencil.

6 more elements

A method for fabricating a microfluidic chip for analysis of a fluid sample, the method comprising:

(a) patterning a pattern layer with one or more reagents;
(b) forming a fluidic layer configured to separate a fluid sample into wells for fluid sample analysis, said fluidic layer comprising:
(i) a sample inlet that receives a fluid sample;
(ii) a plurality of wells;
and
(iii) at least one channel that transports the fluid sample from the sample inlet to the wells;
and
(c) bonding the pattern layer to the fluidic layer;
(d) wherein at least one of the pattern layer or the fluidic layer comprises a gas permeable material.
(d) wherein the reagents are positioned within the plurality of wells of the fluidic layer;
and
(e) wherein the fluid sample flows automatically by degas driven flow.

9 more elements

An apparatus for microfluidic sample analysis, the apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one layer that is patterned with one or more reagents;
(b) a fluidic layer, said fluidic layer comprising:
(i) a plurality of microwells;
(ii) a sample inlet configured to receive a fluid sample;
(iii) at least one fluid channel configured to transport the fluid sample from the sample inlet to one or more said microwells;
(iv) at least one cliff structure positioned between said at least one fluid channel and each said microwell configured to compartmentalize the fluid sample into said microwells for analysis;
(v) wherein compartmentalized reactions in the microwells allow for independent reactions;
and
(vi) at least one microcliff gap forming a narrow channel between said at least one fluid channel and each said microwell configured to aid compartmentalization;
and
(c) at least one layer of a gas permeable material;
(d) wherein reagents are positioned within the microwells;
(e) wherein one or multiple biochemical reactions can occur in the microwells;
and
(f) wherein the apparatus drives fluid flow by vacuum stored in the apparatus, not by external pumps.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-powered microfluidic chip with micro-patterned reagents

Life of this patent

Self-powered microfluidic chip with micro-patterned reagents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29