US 2020/0003676 A1 · METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATED MUTLIPLEXED MODULAR PHOTOMETRY

Abstract

Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfliuidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid. System and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A microfluidic device comprising:

first and second substrates integrated with one another along surfaces thereof to form a stack of substrates;
a first microfluidic channel including first inlet portion, first cuvette portion, and first outlet portion,
wherein at least one of said first inlet and outlet portions traverses both of said first and second substrates;
a first fluidic valve in fluid communication fluidly connected to the outlet portion;
a fluidic well disposed upstream with respect to the first cuvette portion in fluid communication with the first inlet portion,
said well having an internal volume and an aperture connecting said internal volume with an ambient medium surrounding the well,
said well equipped with a flap element dimensioned to reversibly close the aperture from inside the well when in a rest position, and to reversibly open said aperture in response to a force applied to the flap element from the ambient medium inwardly to the internal volume.

4 more elements

A method for performing a photometric measurement, the method comprising:

temporarily stopping a flow of a first fluid sample, passing through a first cuvette of a first microfluidic channel of a microfluidic chip, for a first duration of time that is sufficient
to immobilize said first fluid sample,
to prevent a first displacement of said first sample with respect to the first cuvette, and
to carry out a first photometric measurement of an analyte in said first fluid sample,
wherein the microfluidic chip contains multiple substrates integrated with one another along their corresponding surfaces to form a stack of substrates with at least one interface;
performing said first photometric measurement by:
a) transmitting light from a first light source to a first photodetector through the first cuvette containing said first fluid sample that has been delivered to the first cuvette from a first inlet through a first inlet channel that traverses said at least one interface;
and
b) while said first displacement is prevented, acquiring first data from the first photodetector, said first data representing said analyte in the first fluid sample;
and
completely removing the first fluid sample from the first cuvette through a first outlet channel and a first fluidic valve operably cooperated with the first outlet channel.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for integrated mutliplexed modular photometry

Life of this patent

Method and system for integrated mutliplexed modular photometry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20