# US 2024/0198342 A1 · Guide apparatus and detector having the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0198342 A1 - Document ID: US20240198342A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/589,410 - Filed: 2024-02-27 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-24 - Assignees: BioTNS Co., Ltd. - Applicants: BioTNS Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Bong Suk Kim; Byeong Il Kim; Ji Soo Lee; Chan Min Park; Won Rae Lim; Hyeon Woo Kang; So Young Kim; Song Yi Baek; Ji Hyun Choi; Yik Jae Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240198342A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/502776: {specially adapted for focusing or laminating flows} - B01L 3/502784: {specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics} - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - B01L 9/527: {for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip} - G01N 15/1459: {the analysis being performed on a sample stream} - G01N 15/1484: {microstructural devices} - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B01L 2200/027: for microfluidic devices - B01L 2200/0636: Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows - B01L 2200/0673: Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/0822: Slides - B01L 2300/0867: Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution - B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure - B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics - B01L 2400/084: Passive control of flow resistance - G01N 2015/1006: {for cytology} - 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 Disclosed are an improved guide device capable of being easily replaced for damage, and a detector having the same. The guide device includes a first plate configured to have a plurality of grooves disposed in one surface thereof; and a second plate configured to be in contact with the first plate, wherein the second plate is in contact with the first plate to separate a plurality of channels, wherein the first plate is configured so that the plurality of microdroplets pass through any one of the plurality of channels, the fluid passes through channels facing each other among the plurality of flow channels, and the microdroplets are regularly spaced apart by the fluid that is discharged from the channels facing each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for detecting microdroplets flowing within a plate, the apparatus comprising: a plate comprising a first plate and a second plate, wherein the plate has a droplet-inlet, at least one fluid-inlet, and an outlet, wherein the plate comprises a first microchannel, at least one second microchannel and a third microchannel, wherein the first microchannel, at least one second microchannel and a third microchannel meet in a junction, wherein the first microchannel extends between the droplet-inlet and the junction, wherein the at least one second microchannel extends between the at least one fluid-inlet and the junction, wherein the third microchannel extends between the outlet and the junction, and wherein the first plate has a first groove, at least one second groove and a third groove, and the first plate and the second plate are joined together, forming the plate, a fluid tank configured to store fluid; a droplet tank configured to store microdroplets; a droplet pump configured to provide hydraulic pressure to transfer the stored microdroplets into the plate through the droplet-inlet; a fluid pump configured to provide hydraulic pressure to transfer the stored fluid into the plate through the at least one fluid-inlet; and a light detector comprising a light source, which is configured to detect the microdroplets flowing in the plate by using light emitted from the light source, wherein the second plate is optically transparent, wherein the light detector is located on a side of the second plate rather than the first plate allowing the light emitted from the light detector to pass through the second plate instead of the first plate, and wherein the light detector is positioned between the junction and the outlet enabling detection of the microdroplets after the microdroplets meet the fluid in the plate and are sufficiently separated between each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second plate has no grooves. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second plate has a smaller thickness than the first plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first microchannel comprises a first inclined portion that gradually narrow from one end of the first inclined portion to other end of the first inclined portion, wherein the one end of the first inclined portion is closer to the droplet-inlet than the other end of the first inclined portion, and wherein the other end of the first inclined portion is closer to the junction than the one end of the first inclined portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the other end of the first inclined portion directly meets the junction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second microchannel comprises a second inclined portion that gradually narrow from one end of the second inclined portion to other end of the second inclined portion, wherein the one end of the second inclined portion is closer to the droplet-inlet than the other end of the second inclined portion, and wherein the other end of the second inclined portion is closer to the junction than the one end of the second inclined portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one second microchannel further comprises a guide portion which is interposed between the second inclined portion and the junction, and wherein the guide portion has a same diameter with the other end of the second inclined portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising: a first valve configured to deliver the stored microdroplets from the droplet pump to the droplet-inlet; and a second valve configured to deliver the stored fluid from the fluid pump to the at least one fluid-inlet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first microchannel comprises a first inclined portion that gradually narrow from one end of the first inclined portion to other end of the first inclined portion, wherein the one end of the first inclined portion is closer to the droplet-inlet than the other end of the first inclined portion, and the other end of the first inclined portion is closer to the junction than the one end of the first inclined portion, wherein the at least one second microchannel comprises a second inclined portion that gradually narrow from one end of the second inclined portion to other end of the second inclined portion, and wherein the one end of the second inclined portion is closer to the droplet-inlet than the other end of the second inclined portion, and the other end of the second inclined portion is closer to the junction than the one end of the second inclined portion.