US 9,039,997 B2 · Microfluidic devices with removable cover and methods of fabrication and application

Abstract

The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A microfluidic system comprising:

a base substrate;
a sample holding layer formed on the base substrate, wherein the sample holding layer comprises a microfabricated cavity having an opening formed on a surface of the layer that faces opposite the substrate;
a flow channel coupled to the cavity for delivering a reagent to the cavity;
a control channel that intersects the flow channel and forms a deflectable membrane over at least a portion of the intersection, wherein actuation of the control channel causes deflection of the deflectable membrane to open or close the flow channel;
and
a removable cover having a cover layer with a first portion and a second portion,
wherein the first portion and the second portion of the cover layer are coplanar when the cover layer is situated on the surface of the sample holding layer that faces opposite the substrate, and
wherein the first portion of the cover layer is removable from the second portion of the cover layer to expose at least part of the opening in the microfabricated cavity while the second portion of the cover layer remains bonded to the sample holding layer.

5 more elements

A method of microfabricating a microfluidic system with a removable cover, the method comprising:

providing a base substrate;
bonding a sample holding layer to the base substrate, wherein the sample holding layer comprises a microfabricated cavity or recess having an opening formed on a surface of the layer that faces opposite the substrate;
microfabricating a flow channel coupled to the cavity for delivering a reagent to the cavity;
microfabricating a control channel that intersects the flow channel and forms a deflectable membrane to open or close the flow channel, wherein actuation of the control channel causes deflection of the deflectable membrane to open or close the flow channel;
and
bonding a removable cover to the sample holding layer for sealing the cavity, the removable cover having a cover layer with a first portion and a second portion,
wherein the first portion and the second portion of the cover layer are coplanar when the cover layer is situated on the surface of the sample holding layer that faces opposite the substrate, and
wherein the first portion of the cover layer is removable from the second portion of the cover layer to expose at least part of the opening in the microfabricated cavity while the second portion of the cover layer remains bonded to the sample holding layer.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microfluidic devices with removable cover and methods of fabrication and application

Life of this patent

Microfluidic devices with removable cover and methods of fabrication and application

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31