Methods and software for designing microfluidic devices
AssigneeCaliper Technologies Corp.
InventorsAndrea W. Chow, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Calvin Y. H. Chow
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Abstract
Methods and systems for designing optimized fluidic channel networks for performing different analytical operations, which include the steps of selecting a driving force, identifying at least a first reaction parameter, and designing the channel network by determining channel lengths and cross-sectional dimensions that are optimized for the reaction requirements in view of the selected driving force. Preferred methods are used to design integrated microscale fluidic systems.
Claims23
A method of making a microfluidic device incorporating at least one external capillary element for performing a given analysis comprising:
- providing a microfluidic device including at least one capillary element having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said capillary element intersects a channel network of said microfluidic device at a first intersection, said channel network comprising at least first, second and third channel segments;
- providing a material transport system comprising one or more of a pressure, vacuum or electrokinetic driving force for moving fluidic materials through the channel network of the microfluidic device;
- and
- choosing a length, cross-section, or combination thereof of the first, second and third channel segments and the driving force to satisfy at least two analysis requirements for the given analysis, the first analysis requirement including minimizing an effect of spontaneous injection at the first intersection, and the second analysis requirement being selected from one or more of reaction time, separation time, reagent concentration, reagent volume, separation resolution, mixing ratio, and reaction temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.