High-speed on demand droplet generation and single cell encapsulation driven by induced cavitation
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsPei-Yu Chiou, Ting-Hsiang S. Wu, Sung-Yong Park, Michael A. Teitell
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Abstract
Methods and devices for the formation of droplets of a first fluid in a second fluid and the encapsulation of particles or cells within such droplets are disclosed. Impetus for droplet formation is provided by the creation of a transient bubble, which may be induced using a pulsed laser. Droplet volume and the frequency at which droplets are formed can be controlled by modulation of the pulsed laser. The disclosed methods and devices are particularly suitable for use in microfluidic devices.
Claims33
A device for the generation of droplets, said device comprising:
- a first microfluidic channel comprising a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid;
- and
- a second microfluidic channel comprising a second fluid stream comprising a second fluid wherein said first microfluidic channel is in fluid communication with said second channel;
- and disposed such that formation of cavitation bubble in said first fluid stream, directs said first fluid into said second microfluidic channel forming a droplet of said first fluid in said second microfluidic channel;
- and
- a laser focused on said first microfluidic channel and configured to provide sufficient energy in said first fluid stream to form said cavitation bubble.
A device for generating droplets comprising:
- a first microfluidic channel comprising a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid;
- a second microfluidic channel comprising a second fluid stream comprising a second fluid;
- a third fluid path disposed between said second fluid stream and said first fluid stream comprising a third fluid stream comprising a third fluid wherein said third fluid stream is in fluid communication with said second microfluidic channel via a port or channel;
- wherein said first microfluidic channel and said second microfluidic channel are operatively coupled so that formation of a cavitation bubble in said first fluid stream, directs said third fluid into said second microfluidic channel forming a droplet of said third fluid in said second microfluidic channel;
- and
- a laser focused on said first microfluidic channel and configured to provide sufficient energy in said second fluid stream to form said cavitation bubble.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.