Modular microfluidic systems
AssigneeNanostream, Inc.
InventorsStephen D. O'Connor, Christoph D. Karp, Eugene Dantsker, Marci Pezzuto
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Abstract
A modular microfluidic system includes a plurality of discrete microfluidic modules each capable of performing at least one operation and at least one microfluidic coupling device for fluidically coupling the modules to perform a sequence of operations. The microfluidic modules and coupling devices may be constructed according to various techniques. In one embodiment, coupling devices are fabricated from multiple layers and each include a fluidic inlet port, a fluidic outlet port, and at least one sandwiched stencil layer having a microfluidic channel formed therein. Also described are integrated microfluidic systems and methods capable of performing various sequences of operations.
Claims32
A method for performing a selected sequence of operations on a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying the operations of a first sequence of operations;
- providing a plurality of microfluidic modules, each module being adapted to perform at least one operation of the first sequence of operations;
- fluidically coupling at least two modules of the plurality of microfluidic modules to create a first arrangement of modules that enables the first sequence of operations to be performed;
- providing at least one liquid sample to at least one module of the plurality of microfluidic modules;
- wherein the at least one operation of the first sequence of operations alters a characteristic of the at least one liquid sample and the characteristic of liquid sample that is altered is selected from the group consisting of:
- volume, temperature, composition and purity;
- and
- performing the first sequence of operations.
A modular microfluidic system for performing a sequence of operations on a liquid sample, the system comprising:
- a plurality of microfluidic modules, each module of the plurality of modules being adapted to perform at least one operation of the sequence of operations;
- wherein the plurality of modules are fluidically coupled to perform the sequence of operations;
- wherein the at least one operation alters a characteristic of the liquid sample;
- and
- wherein the characteristic of the liquid sample that is altered is selected from the group consisting of:
- volume, temperature, composition and purity.
A modular microfluidic system for performing a sequence of operations on a liquid sample, the system comprising:
- a plurality of modules, each module of the plurality of modules being adapted to perform at least one operation of the sequence of operations, each module including at least one first stencil layer having a characteristic thickness and defining a microfluidic structure through the entire thickness of the at least one first stencil layer;
- and
- a microfluidic coupling device including at least one second stencil layer having a characteristic thickness and defining a microfluidic structure through the entire thickness of the at least one second stencil layer;
- wherein the plurality of modules are fluidically coupled to perform the sequence of operations;
- wherein the at least one operation alters a characteristic of the liquid sample;
- and
- wherein the characteristic of the liquid sample that is altered is selected from the group consisting of:
- volume, temperature, composition and purity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.