Microfluidic reactor system
AssigneeMicronics, Inc.
InventorsC. Frederick Battrell, John Clemmens, Isaac Sprague
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and/or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and/or mix the fluids in the chamber.
Claims18
An apparatus for sealingly enclosing a first aspect of a substrate member in a reaction chamber, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a baseplate member having a first surface, wherein said first surface comprises a platform medially disposed thereon, said platform having a top surface dimensioned for contactingly receiving the first aspect of the substrate member in juxtaposition with said top surface thereof, and outside edges and outside lateral wall surfaces therearound, wherein said top surface is interrupted by a recess defined by interior walls having a height ranging from 5 to 100 micrometers, a recessed slab connecting the bottom edges of the interior walls, and a boundary ledge connecting the top edges of the interior walls and the outside edges of the platform, said ledge for supporting the first aspect of the substrate member thereon, whereby a reaction chamber with headspace volume is formed between the recessed slab and the first aspect of the substrate member when sealed to said boundary ledge;
- b) a gasket member fitted to the outside edges of said platform, and
- c) a first bellows pump and a second bellows pump located on the first surface, said first bellows pump having a first fluidic connection to said reaction chamber and said second bellows pump having a second fluidic connection to said reaction chamber, at least one of said first and second bellows pumps having one or more fluidic connections to one or more reagent reservoirs or vents disposed outside the reaction chamber, wherein said first fluidic connection and said second fluidic connection pass through the baseplate member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.