Methods and systems for processing microfluidic samples of particle containing fluids
AssigneeHandyLab, Inc.
InventorsGene Parunak, Kalyan Handique, Betty Wu, Aaron Kehrer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing a cell-containing liquid. The system includes a microfabricated substrate having an enrichment channel to prepare an enriched cell sample from the cell-containing liquid. A flow through member is in liquid communication with the enrichment zone. The flow through member substantially prevents cells of the cell-containing fluid from exiting the enrichment zone while allowing liquid of the cell-containing liquid to exit the enrichment zone. A gas actuator associated with the enrichment zone provides a gas pressure sufficient to move the enriched cell sample from the enrichment zone.
Claims42
A microfluidic device, comprising:
- an enrichment module configured to receive a microdroplet of particle-containing fluid, the enrichment module comprising a flow-through member and an enrichment chamber, wherein the flow-through member is configured to allow fluid of the particle-containing fluid to pass through the flow-through member thereby accumulating an enriched particle sample, comprising particles of the particle-containing fluid, in the enrichment chamber;
- a downstream channel leading downstream from the enrichment chamber to at least one downstream processing module;
- an actuator configured to move the enriched particle sample downstream from the enrichment module along the downstream channel;
- and
- a first valve disposed between the actuator and the flow-through member.
A microfluidic device, comprising:
- an enrichment module configured to separate an enriched particle sample from a microdroplet of particle-containing fluid, wherein the enrichment module comprises a flow-through member and an enrichment chamber;
- a processing module disposed downstream of the enrichment module;
- an actuator configured to move the enriched particle sample downstream from the enrichment module with essentially no dilution of the enriched particle sample;
- and
- a first valve disposed between the actuator and the flow-through member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.