# US 9,039,993 B2 · Microfluidic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,993 B2 - Document ID: US9039993B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/803,303 - Filed: 2013-03-14 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: Formulatrix, Inc. - Applicants: Formulatrix, Inc. - Inventors: Kabir James Yamana; Sean Yamana-Hayes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039993B2 ## CPC - C12Q 1/6806: Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence) - B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)} - C12P 19/34: Polynucleotides, e.g. nucleic acids, oligoribonucleotides - C12Q 1/686: Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] - G01N 21/75: Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated (systems in which material is burnt in a flame or plasma G01N21/72, G01N21/73) - B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids} - B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples} - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/087: Multiple sequential chambers - B01L 2400/0406: capillary forces - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/0655: pinch valves - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12P: FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE {(brewing of beer C12C; producing vinegar C12J; producing specific peptides or proteins C07K; producing enzymes C12N9/00; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification C12N15/00; measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q; measuring or testing processes involving nucleic acid amplification reactions C12Q1/6844; fermentation processes to form a food composition, A21 or A23; compounds in general, see the relevant compound class, e.g. C01, C07)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Microfluidic devices of the present disclosure relate to quick and inexpensive microfluidic manipulation/handling. A number of channels may be supplied with fluid ingredient(s). In some embodiments, a number of protrusions as well as a sealing material may be disposed adjacent to the channels. When the channels are supplied with fluid ingredient(s), the channels may be partitioned into a number of separate cavities that are fluidly isolated from one another. For instance, a sealing material may be compressed so as to deform into the channels, obstructing fluid flow. In some embodiments, the channels supply fluid ingredients to a number of pre-formed cavities. Once the cavities are supplied with fluid ingredient, channels connecting the cavities may be sealed off; that is, the cavities may be subject to fluid isolation. When appropriate, contents within reaction chambers may be subject to further processing (e.g., thermal cycling, various analyses). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microfluidic device, comprising: a first layer defining a plurality of cavities; a plurality of channels arranged to provide fluid entry to the plurality of cavities; a second layer disposed adjacent to the first layer; and wherein compression of the first and second layers relative to one another causes sealing of the plurality of channels resulting in obstruction of the plurality of cavities from further fluid entry and causes deformation of a sealing material into space defined by the plurality of channels, and wherein the first layer or the second layer comprises a material substantially more rigid than the sealing material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the first layer or the second layer comprises the sealing material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the sealing material is separate from the first layer and the second layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The microfluidic device of claim 3, wherein the sealing material comprises the plurality of channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein compression of the first and second layers relative to one another causes plastic deformation of the sealing material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the sealing material includes an adhesive. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the sealing material includes a wax. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising a third layer disposed adjacent to the first layer and the second layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The microfluidic device of claim 8, wherein the second layer or the third layer comprises an adhesive membrane disposed on a backing layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, in combination with a system arranged to perform digital polymerase chain reaction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein compression of the first and second layers relative to one another comprises irreversible sealing of the plurality of channels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities are adapted to receive and isolate substantially equal volumes of a fluid ingredient. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities includes a first plurality of cavities and a second plurality of cavities disposed in fluid communication with one another, the second plurality of cavities adapted to retain a volume of air after filling of the first plurality of cavities. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are adapted to be compressed by a roller. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein application of a single compressive force on the first and second layers relative to one another causes a fluid ingredient to be split into a plurality of substantially equal volumes fluidly isolated from one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein external compression of the first and second layers relative to one another causes sealing of the plurality of channels. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels are substantially aligned with a plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The microfluidic device of claim 17, wherein the second layer comprises the plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The microfluidic device of claim 1, in combination with a system arranged to perform polymerase chain reaction.