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US 6,800,849 B2Granted
Microfluidic array devices and methods of manufacture and uses thereof
OwnerSau Lan Tang Staatsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Microfluidic nozzle array devices are provided with the body of each device having at least one nozzle extending outwardly from one surface of the body. Each nozzle includes a tip opening having a diameter of equal to or less than about 100 μm, preferably 50 μm, and more preferably 20 μm and an outer diameter of nozzle is equal to or less than about 150 μm, preferably 100 μm, and more preferably 50 μm. The microfluidic nozzle array devices are fabricated using an injection molding process and find particular utility in a wide range of applications, including but not limited to nanospray/electrospray applications, mass spectrometer applications, optical spectrometry applications, spotting applications (i.e., DNA or protein array), etc.
Claims56
A microfluidic device comprising:
- an injection molded article including:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein and extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface;
- and
- at least one nozzle disposed along the second surface, the nozzle being in fluid communication with the channel such that one end of the channel terminates in a nozzle opening that is formed as part of the nozzle, wherein the device is formed of an injection moldable material.
1 more element
A microfluidic device comprising:
- an injection molded microfluidic device formed of an injection moldable material comprising:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein, the channel extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface for receiving a sample;
- and
- at least one nozzle integrally formed with the body and disposed along and extending beyond the second surface, the nozzle being defined by outer surfaces that are non-parallel in nature and the number of nozzles being equal to the number of channels with each nozzle having a section of the channel formed therethrough such that each channel terminates in a nozzle opening of the nozzle, wherein a diameter of the nozzle opening is equal to or less than about 100 μm and an outside diameter of the nozzle is equal to or less than about 150 μm and wherein the channel section formed in the nozzle is defined by non-parallel surfaces that terminate at one end with the formation of the nozzle opening.
1 more element
A detection system for detecting one or more properties of a sample, the detection system including:
- an injection molded microfluidic device formed of an injection moldable material comprising:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein, the channel extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface;
- and
- at least one nozzle integrally formed with the body and disposed along and extending beyond the second surface, the nozzle defined by outer surfaces that are non-parallel in nature and the number of nozzles equal to the number of channels with each nozzle having a section of the channel formed therethrough such that each channel terminates in a nozzle opening that is formed as part of the nozzle, wherein a diameter of the nozzle opening is equal to or less than about 100 μm and an outside diameter of the nozzle is equal to or less than about 150 μm and wherein the channel section formed in the nozzle is defined by tapered inner surfaces that terminate at one end with the formation of the nozzle opening;
- and
- a detector for receiving the sample discharged from the microfluidic device through the nozzle opening thereof, wherein the detector analyzes the discharged sample and provides information regarding one or more properties of the sample.
3 more elements
A process for creating a vaporized and ionized fluid stream from a liquid sample for injection into a diagnostic device, the process comprising the steps of:
- providing an injection molded microfluidic device formed of an injection moldable material comprising:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein, the channel extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface;
- and
- at least one nozzle integrally formed with the body and disposed along and extending beyond the second surface, the number of nozzles equal to the number of channels with each nozzle being in fluid communication with one channel such that each channel terminates in a nozzle opening that is formed as part of the nozzle, wherein a diameter of the nozzle opening is equal to or less than about 50 μm and an outside diameter of the nozzle is equal to or less than about 100 μm;
- disposing a sample in the channel at least within the reservoir section;
- transporting the sample from the reservoir to the nozzle tip where the sample is discharged;
- and
- applying an electric field to the second surface of the body around each nozzle, the electric field being of sufficient strength so as to cause the discharged sample to be vaporized and ionized.
5 more elements
A process for array spotting on a substrate, the process comprising the steps of:
- providing a microfluidic device comprising:
- an injection molded microfluidic device formed of an injection moldable material comprising:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein, the channel extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface for receiving a sample;
- and
- a plurality of nozzles integrally formed with the body and disposed along and extending beyond the second surface, each nozzle defined by outer surfaces that are non-parallel in nature and the number of nozzles equal to the number of channels with each nozzle having a section of the channel formed therethrough such that each channel terminates in a nozzle opening that is formed as part of the nozzle, wherein a diameter of the nozzle opening is equal to or less than about 100 μm and an outside diameter of the nozzle is equal to or less than about 150 μm and wherein the channel section formed in the nozzle is defined by tapered inner surfaces that terminate at one end with the formation of the nozzle opening;
- disposing one or more samples within the plurality of reservoir sections, with only one sample being disposed in one reservoir section;
- positioning the microfluidic device proximate to the substrate with the plurality of nozzles facing the substrate;
- and
- transporting each sample from one reservoir to a respective nozzle tip where the sample is discharged through the nozzle opening onto the substrate to form a sample spot on the substrate.
6 more elements
A microfluidic device comprising:
- an injection molded article including:
- a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the body having at least one channel formed therein and extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the channel has a reservoir section that is open at the first surface;
- and
- at least one nozzle disposed along the second surface and having a length of the channel formed therethrough such that one end of the channel terminates in a nozzle opening that is formed as a distal end of the nozzle, wherein the device is formed of an injection moldable material and the length of channel formed in the nozzle has a varying diameter.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.