Back to results
US 2025/0177985 A1Published application
Droplet forming devices and system with differential surface properties
Assignee10x Genomics, Inc.
InventorsRajiv BHARADWAJ, Anthony MAKAREWICZ, Bill Kengli LIN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.
Claims21
1-30. (canceled)
A system for producing droplets, the system comprising:
- i) a device comprising:
- a) a first channel having a first depth, a first width, a first proximal end, and a plurality of first distal ends;
- b) a second channel having a second depth, a second width, a second proximal end, and a second distal end, wherein the second channel intersects the first channel between the first proximal end and the plurality of first distal ends;
- c) a plurality of shelf regions, wherein each shelf region is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first distal ends, wherein each shelf region has a width greater than the first width;
- and
- d) a collection reservoir to collect a population of droplets and comprising at least one wall forming a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps is fluidically connected to one of the plurality of shelf regions, and wherein each step has a fourth depth that is greater than the first depth;
- ii) a first liquid in the first channel;
- iii) a second liquid in the collection reservoir and the plurality of shelf regions;
- iv) a third liquid in the second channel;
- wherein the first liquid and the third liquid combine at the intersection of the first channel and the second channel and form droplets in the second liquid;
- and
- wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are immiscible, and the first liquid and the third liquid are miscible.
9 more elements
A method for producing droplets, the method comprising:
- A) providing a system comprising:
- a) a device comprising:
- i) a first channel having a first depth, a first width, a first proximal end, and a plurality of first distal ends;
- ii) a second channel having a second depth, a second width, a second proximal end, and a second distal end, wherein the second channel intersects the first channel between the first proximal and the plurality of first distal ends;
- iii) a plurality of shelf regions, wherein each shelf region is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first distal ends, wherein each shelf region has a width greater than the first width;
- and
- iv) a collection reservoir to collect a population of droplets and comprising at least one wall forming a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps is fluidically connected to one of the plurality of shelf regions, and wherein each step has a fourth depth that is greater than the first depth;
- b) a first liquid in the first channel;
- c) a second liquid in the collection reservoir and the plurality of shelf regions;
- d) a third liquid in the second channel;
- and
- wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are immiscible, and the first liquid and the third liquid are miscible;
- B) combining the first liquid from the first channel and the third liquid from the second channel at the intersection;
- and
- C) flowing the combined first liquid and third liquid to the plurality of step regions to produce droplets of the combined first liquid and third liquid, wherein the droplets are dispersed in the second liquid.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.