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US 2026/0146245 A1Published application
Microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof
AssigneeNutcracker Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Eldridge, Ximiao Wen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods process polynucleotides in a sealed path environment. The apparatuses include optical sensors to monitor operations and to track material usage for good manufacturing practice.
Claims21
1-97. (canceled)
A microfluidic path device comprising:
- (a) a first rigid layer;
- (b) a second rigid layer;
- (c) an elastic layer interposed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first surface and the second surface, a portion of the elastic layer dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first rigid layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second rigid layer;
- (e) a plurality of fluid channels;
- and
- (f) a bubble removal chamber, the bubble removal chamber being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers, the bubble removal chamber being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers in fluid communication with the bubble removal chamber.
4 more elements
A process chip comprising:
- (a) a first rigid layer;
- (b) a second rigid layer;
- (c) an elastic layer interposed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first rigid layer and the second rigid layer, a portion of the elastic layer dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first rigid layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second rigid layer;
- (e) at least one fluid channel;
- and
- (f) a vacuum cap, the vacuum cap being in fluid communication with the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers of the plurality of chambers, the vacuum cap being configured to provide removal of air from fluid communicated from the fluid-contacting side of one or more other chambers in fluid communication with the vacuum cap, the vacuum cap including at least one projection configured to prevent the elastic layer from sealing against at least one side of the vacuum cap.
4 more elements
A microfluidic path device comprising:
- (a) a first layer;
- (b) a second layer;
- (c) a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer including an elastic membrane;
- (d) a plurality of chambers formed between the first layer and the second layer, a portion of the elastic membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid-contacting side in the first layer and a pressure-receiving side in the second layer, the fluid-contacting side of each chamber including a concave surface;
- (e) a plurality of fluid channels providing paths for communication of fluid among the fluid-contacting sides of the plurality of chambers;
- and
- (f) a plurality of pressure ports providing paths for communication of pneumatic pressure to the pressure receiving sides of the plurality of chambers, the elastic membrane being configured to seat against the concave surface of one or more fluid-contacting sides of the plurality of chambers in response to pneumatic pressure communicated via one or more pressure ports of the plurality of pressure ports.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.